The World Cup’s opening match in Los Angeles on Monday hangs in the balance after a senior US official claimed a referee banned from officiating in the tournament had direct links to terror organizations. The revelation, disclosed to journalists late Sunday, has intensified pressure on FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has already faced sharp criticism over visa denials and chaotic ticketing systems.

FIFA’s response to the crisis has been under fire since Saturday, when Infantino urged journalists to “chill” and “relax” over the ongoing issues. His remarks, delivered during a press briefing in Los Angeles, were met with immediate backlash from fan groups and human rights organizations. “We’re doing everything possible to fix this,” Infantino insisted, though no concrete timeline was provided for resolving the visa and ticketing backlogs.

The banned referee, whose identity has not been disclosed, was previously flagged by FIFA’s ethics committee for undisclosed violations. The US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated the referee’s alleged ties to extremist groups were uncovered during a joint FBI-Europol investigation in 2023. FIFA has yet to address the claim publicly, but a source within the organization confirmed an internal review is underway.

Infantino’s comments came as thousands of fans reported missing packages, delayed flights, and last-minute ticket cancellations. The chaos has exposed deep flaws in FIFA’s logistical planning, with reports of entire families stranded in airports after being denied entry. The US State Department confirmed it has received over 5,000 complaints from fans since the ticketing issues emerged last week.

1. Missing packages — Fans report sports jerseys and memorabilia lost in transit
2. Delayed flights — Airlines cite ticketing errors as reason for cancellations
3. Last-minute cancellations — FIFA blames “technical glitches” for sudden ticket revocations

Human rights groups are now demanding FIFA provide full transparency on its visa vetting process. Amnesty International condemned the organization’s handling of the situation, stating, “FIFA’s failure to act proactively has placed thousands of fans in limbo, some of whom have spent thousands on travel and accommodation.” The advocacy group has called for an independent audit of FIFA’s ticketing and visa systems.

FIFA’s executive committee is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting in Zurich on Tuesday to address the mounting crisis. Infantino is expected to face further scrutiny over his handling of the situation, with calls growing for his resignation from fan-led protests in Mexico City and Los Angeles. The World Cup begins in just four days, leaving little time for FIFA to salvage its reputation—or the experience of thousands of disgruntled supporters.

The terror-linked referee scandal has further eroded trust in FIFA’s ability to manage the tournament safely. While the organization has yet to confirm whether the official will have any role in the competition, the damage to its credibility is already done. Fans, players, and sponsors alike are watching closely as the crisis unfolds—just days before the world’s biggest sporting event kicks off.