The situation led to fierce criticism, but Infantino reacted in unexpected fashion at his pre-tournament press conference.
“Again, we don’t control everything,” he said. “We try to discuss, we will speak, we will see, maybe sometimes it’s good as well to chill, relax.
“We work on everything, we try to resolve everything, [but] immediately screaming and shouting, that’s the opposite of finding a solution.”
He later added: “When I say chill and relax, I don’t mean chill and do nothing. I mean trust us that we are working behind the scenes. There are things we know or do not know, and we try to make the situation as positive as possible. Sometimes we manage, sometimes not.”
The question was asked by a British journalist and Infantino argued that there would be restrictions in the UK, as there are in the US.
“In 2035 we hope the Women’s World Cup will be in the UK. There needs to be a decision, but looks like. Would you find it normal that Fifa would dictate to the British government who to let in the country and who not to let in the country? I don’t know, maybe you find it normal.
“The reality of the matter is that in every country there are governments – try to get into the UK, Germany, Switzerland, without a visa, try to get a visa – it is not easy.
“It is not easy when you have 300,000 accredited people most of whom are outside the US, it is not easy. Unfortunately our world is a very aggressive world and security goes above everything and you have to respect everything.”