(FIFA World Cup trophy is displayed at the Akron Stadium. Photo by Leadership News)
The extravaganza hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada is the biggest World Cup in history, stretching until the final in New Jersey on July 19.
The World Cup kicks off Thursday with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, launching a sprawling tournament of 48 teams set to last nearly six weeks.
The competition is projected to generate a record-breaking $13 billion in total revenue.
However, football’s world governing body FIFA has faced stinging criticism over the steep cost of tickets, while Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has seen a top referee, Iranian team officials and fans refused entry into the United States.
Speaking in Mexico City on Wednesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino mounted a spirited defence of the tournament’s organisation and brushed off criticism over visa issues.
Infantino insisted that ticket prices some of which have topped $30,000 had been set appropriately, pointing to a small number of $60 tickets made available in response to public outcry.
“Let me just say that our entry price, which is 60 dollars, is the lowest entry price of any of the American sports in the play-off phases. Our average price, which is below 500 dollars, is again the lowest of the American sports on average,” he said.
Infantino also played down the controversy surrounding Somali World Cup referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry after arriving in Miami.
FIFA has since confirmed that Artan, who the US State Department said had “associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations,” will play no part in the tournament.
“It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia. We don’t control everything… Sometimes it’s good to chill, relax, we work on everything, we try to solve everything,” Infantino said.
The FIFA leader also portrayed Iran’s participation at the World Cup amid its military conflict with the US as a victory for his organisation.
“People were saying Iran couldn’t come to the World Cup. There are challenges, it’s not easy, but I don’t know who else would have been able to ensure in these circumstances which we could not influence Iran could come and play,” he said.
Infantino’s close relationship with Trump has come under scrutiny, though the FIFA chief lavished praise on the US president, saying his engagement was critical to making the tournament possible.
“Without his engagement and involvement, I think it would have been, simple as that, impossible to organize a World Cup in the United States,” Infantino said.
Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he plans to attend some World Cup matches, without providing further details.
“I spoke to Gianni this morning… he said there’s never been anything close” to the success of the coming tournament, Trump said.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos warned his players to block out the noise during the opening match at the Estadio Azteca a legendary venue that hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals.
“They will have 85,000 Mexicans shouting and singing. But we have to focus on our game. And if we can do that… then we can have a good game,” the Belgian said.
Mexico have not won any of their seven appearances in an opening game. “We have to break the statistic. It will be another source of motivation,” coach Javier Aguirre said.
South Korea and the Czech Republic play the second game on the opening day, in Guadalajara.
Spain, France and England are among the favourites, while reigning champions Argentina will look to their 38-year-old talisman Lionel Messi to drive them to the final.
England wrapped up their preparations on Wednesday with an impressive 3-0 win over Costa Rica in a match delayed by an hour due to thunderstorms in Orlando, with Declan Rice, Anthony Gordon and Ollie Watkins getting on the scoresheet.
“Until now, it was more a feeling of a pre-season, like an overseas pre-season. I think we set the tone today,” said coach Thomas Tuchel.