One week after the conclusion of the World Cup final, FIFA President Gianni Infantino issued a lengthy statement defending the tournament and responding to its critics. Published late Sunday across a 15-page post on his Instagram account and FIFA’s official website, Infantino accused certain media and commentators of “spreading hate and false rumors” about the event.
In his 900-word message, Infantino praised FIFA for delivering what he described as “the best show in the world” and highlighted the World Cup’s capacity to bring “joy and togetherness.” Addressing critics directly, he expressed regret that their focus on negative commentary caused them to miss the positive aspects of the tournament, writing, “Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all.”
The criticisms Infantino responded to included issues arising from the treatment of the Iranian team and their officials, a Somali referee being denied entry into the United States, and fans who were refused visas. One prominent case was Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, a celebrated Congo fan who was barred from entering the U.S. but attended a match held in Mexico. The Iranian team, originally scheduled to hold a training camp in Tucson, Arizona, instead relocated to Tijuana, Mexico, due to U.S. entry complications. Infantino maintained that Iran’s participation proceeded “without incident or conflict” and framed efforts around their involvement as a unifying endeavor between "two countries at war."
Another significant controversy involved U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, who received a red card during the tournament. FIFA’s disciplinary body opted not to impose an immediate one-game ban but placed the sanction on probation, a decision that drew allegations of political influence linked to then-President Donald Trump. Infantino defended this approach as routine, pointing out that “subsequent decisions not to ban players in certain situations are routine,” while noting that the disciplinary verdict had yet to be formally published.
In addition to these controversies, the World Cup faced criticism over unprecedentedly high ticket prices and the introduction of commercial breaks during the middle of each half across all 104 games. Infantino countered these points by emphasizing the high attendance rates and fan enthusiasm across all host cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Infantino’s statement also touched on his fraught relationship with the media, underscoring an increasingly testy dynamic in the 11th year of his presidency. His last full international media conference before the tournament was in Mexico City, his first since March 2023. During these engagements, he urged critics to “chill, relax” and questioned why some media appeared “so mean.”
The FIFA president now faces enhanced scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers. On Sunday, Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, sent Infantino a letter seeking documents related to FIFA’s ties with the Trump administration. FIFA has yet to comment publicly on this request.
Concluding his statement, Infantino appealed for reflection and understanding, urging critics to consider the emotions and experiences of those involved in the tournament. He closed with the words: “Much love to all.”