Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit published an open letter on Wednesday, 10 June 2025 — one day before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026 — calling on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to step down amid a mounting crisis over U.S. immigration policies affecting players, officials, and supporters. The letter, from one of the game's most decorated figures, marks the most prominent individual challenge to Infantino's leadership since the tournament's host country was announced.

What Triggered the Open Letter

The call came against a backdrop of a series of high-profile immigration incidents in the days leading up to the tournament's opening. Iran's national team was forced to relocate its training camp to Mexico after several support staff were denied U.S. visas. Somali referee Omar Artan, selected by FIFA on merit to officiate at the highest level, was reportedly refused entry into the United States. Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein was held for seven hours at Chicago O'Hare airport, and team photographer Talah Salah was also denied entry.

The Senegal and Uzbekistan squads were subjected to extensive searches upon arrival in the United States. Uncertainty also persists over whether fans and journalists from countries affected by U.S. travel bans will be permitted to attend the tournament at all.

What Gullit Said

Gullit, who earned 66 caps for the Netherlands and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game, was direct in his assessment. 'I have stayed quiet for a long time because I wanted to judge this World Cup on football matters. But the deeper we get into the preparations, the more it becomes clear that football is no longer the main story. For that reason, I believe Gianni Infantino should seriously consider stepping down as FIFA President,' he wrote.

He argued that the tournament had drifted from its founding purpose. 'A World Cup should unite people. Instead, this tournament is becoming a symbol of division, political disputes, travel restrictions, and administrative failures,' Gullit said. He also noted that Iranian supporters had reportedly had their ticket allocations withdrawn, calling such developments 'not minor issues' that 'strike at the heart of what the World Cup is supposed to represent.'

Direct Criticism of Infantino's Leadership

Gullit reserved his sharpest words for Infantino personally. 'Leadership is not about appearing in photographs with politicians or celebrating commercial success. Leadership is about taking responsibility when things go wrong. That is why I believe Mr Infantino must ask himself whether he is still the right person to lead world football,' he wrote.

He added: 'The football world deserves answers, accountability, and leadership. If those cannot be provided under the current administration, then perhaps the time has come for new leadership at FIFA.' Gullit concluded that the World Cup 'belongs to the world, not to governments, political interests, or football administrators. It belongs to the players, the referees, and the supporters.'

Broader Implications for the Tournament

The incidents collectively represent a significant reputational challenge for both FIFA and the United States as host. This is the first World Cup held across three nations — the U.S., Canada, and Mexico — and the immigration friction has been concentrated at U.S. entry points. Notably, FIFA has not yet issued a formal public response to Gullit's letter. The organisation's silence, as of the eve of the tournament, has itself drawn scrutiny. With the opening match hours away, the controversy over access and inclusion threatens to overshadow the football on the pitch.