FIFA President Gianni Infantino has publicly responded to criticism of the recently concluded World Cup, defending the tournament as a success while accusing detractors of spreading "hate and false rumours." The event, held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, concluded with Spain winning the title.
In a detailed message posted late Sunday on FIFA’s website and social media, Infantino addressed critics directly, stating they were "so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all." He praised FIFA’s organisation of the World Cup, highlighting "no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness" throughout the competition. He framed the tournament as a celebration of unity and inclusion, emphasizing the large global audience that experienced "joy and togetherness."
Several controversies surrounded the event, including US visa restrictions that affected players, officials, and supporters. Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry despite having a valid visa, and the Iranian team faced significant challenges due to diplomatic tensions between Iran and the United States. Iranian captain Mehdi Taremi described the experience as "like a disaster," and coach Amir Ghalenoei referred to the team as the "most oppressed" at the tournament. In response, Infantino noted that the Iranian team eventually received visas and entered the US without incident, underscoring his view that football should transcend politics and promote peace.
Infantino also addressed criticism related to refereeing and disciplinary decisions, including the suspension of a one-match ban on USA striker Folarin Balogun after former President Donald Trump intervened, requesting FIFA to review the red card he received. Infantino justified these decisions by comparing them to routine practices in major football leagues worldwide and questioned why countries that use similar practices were among the tournament’s harshest critics.
The president thanked the governments of the United States, Canada, and Mexico for their roles in hosting the event and ensuring its smooth execution. He concluded his statement by urging critics "to find peace," asserting that FIFA has found its own through the successful delivery of the World Cup.
Not all responses to Infantino’s statement were positive. Human rights organisation FairSquare described his letter as evidence of his detachment from the criticism FIFA has faced. The group lodged a complaint against Infantino with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), alleging he violated rules on political neutrality due to his public support for US President Trump. The IOC later decided not to investigate the complaint, saying it fell outside their ethics commission’s scope.
As the discourse continues, Infantino's open defense highlights the ongoing tensions between FIFA’s leadership and external observers over the governance and political complexities of hosting a global sporting event in an evolving geopolitical environment.