BY SANDHYA DISSANAYAKE, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW
Image Courtesy: AIPS
LAUSANNE – The International Sports Press Association (AIPS) has called on FIFA to urgently intervene after numerous accredited journalists encountered visa-related difficulties ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, raising concerns over media access to one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
With only days remaining before the tournament kicks off, AIPS said it considers the situation “unacceptable,” particularly as many of the affected journalists have already received official accreditation from FIFA but are still struggling to obtain permission to enter the United States.
AIPS Appeals Directly to FIFA
On June 5, AIPS President Gianni Merlo, on behalf of the AIPS Executive Committee, sent an official letter to Bryan Swanson, FIFA Director of Media Relations, and Jochen Steinhoff, FIFA Head of Media Operations & Services, requesting immediate action to resolve the issue.
The organization urged FIFA to do everything within its power to ensure that accredited media representatives are not unfairly prevented from covering the tournament.
Concerns Over Visa Limitations
According to AIPS, journalists from several countries, including Iran and various African nations, have encountered significant visa challenges.
Some media representatives have reportedly been granted only single-entry visas, creating major logistical problems if they need to travel between the tournament’s host countries — the United States, Canada and Mexico. Under such restrictions, journalists could be unable to re-enter the United States after covering matches in neighbouring countries.
AIPS stressed that these limitations undermine the ability of accredited journalists to carry out their professional responsibilities during the multinational tournament.
Media Freedom and the Spirit of Sport
In his letter, Merlo emphasized that sport is often promoted as a bridge that unites people across nations and cultures, but argued that the current visa issues run contrary to that principle.
He noted that the presence of international journalists is essential to showcasing the values of global sport and highlighted that press freedom should remain a fundamental principle, particularly in a country such as the United States.
Financial Impact on Journalists
AIPS also pointed out that many affected journalists have already suffered financial losses after being unable to use airline tickets booked in advance due to visa delays.
The organization warned that continued uncertainty could force reporters to incur significant additional travel expenses while potentially preventing them from covering the tournament altogether.
Call for Urgent Resolution
With the FIFA World Cup 2026 about to begin, AIPS has appealed to FIFA to engage with the relevant authorities and help secure timely visa approvals for all duly accredited journalists.
The association maintains that ensuring fair access for the international media is crucial to the successful coverage and global image of the tournament.
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