FIFA President Gianni Infantino has strongly defended the 2026 World Cup, accusing critics of spreading hate and false narratives while overlooking the tournament's success in promoting unity, safety, and inclusion. In an open letter published on Monday, Infantino said detractors had missed the joy and togetherness experienced by millions of fans worldwide who witnessed the tournament, won by Spain and hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Infantino's Response to Critics
“You were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all,” said the 56-year-old FIFA president. “To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumours, I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organising, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world. We experienced no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness.”
Infantino’s letter comes amid ongoing scrutiny of FIFA's decisions during the tournament, including the suspension of an automatic one-match ban for US striker Folarin Balogun after intervention by former President Donald Trump, and officiating controversies in Argentina's last-16 victory over Egypt.
Addressing Specific Controversies
Infantino dismissed criticism of officiating decisions, stating: “Potentially mistaken red or yellow cards or subsequent decisions not to ban players in certain situations are routine and widely accepted in some of the biggest leagues worldwide. It’s curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticising.” He also addressed visa issues, noting that Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was barred from entering the US despite having a valid visa, while Iran's national team faced difficult travel restrictions due to ongoing tensions between the US and Iran.
“Iran entered the United States without incident or conflict. The Iranian team received visas to enter because football is about peace. It’s not about politics,” Infantino insisted. “Countries facing serious health issues or other challenges were granted visas.”
Reactions and Previous Controversies
Infantino’s letter is likely to provoke further criticism, particularly given his previous controversial statements before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he declared: “Today I feel Qatari. Today I feel Arabic. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel a migrant worker.” The FIFA president has faced calls for resignation from figures such as former FIFA President Sepp Blatter and La Liga chief Javier Tebas, who urged to “reclaim football.”
