FIFA President Gianni Infantino has issued a strong defense of the recent World Cup, accusing critics of spreading hate and false narratives while asserting the tournament was a success that celebrated unity, safety, and inclusion.
In an open letter published Monday, Infantino stated that detractors overlooked the joy and togetherness experienced by millions of fans. "You were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all," he wrote, directing his comments toward those he believes were "spreading hate and false rumors."
Infantino highlighted the perceived success of the tournament, which was co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. "I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organizing, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world," he stated. "We experienced no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness!"
FIFA faced scrutiny over several issues during the event, including U.S. visa restrictions that affected supporters and officials from various countries, and concerns regarding teams from regions experiencing conflict. The letter also followed debates over FIFA's handling of a disciplinary case involving U.S. player Folarin Balogun, where an automatic one-match ban was suspended after intervention from President Donald Trump.
Infantino addressed officiating and disciplinary decisions, suggesting that many controversial calls are routine in global competitions. "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," he noted. "It’s curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticizing."
Infantino also pointed to the participation of countries facing political tensions and domestic challenges as evidence of football's capacity to bridge divides. He cited Iran's participation, which occurred amidst U.S.-Iran tensions, as an example. "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," he said.
Visa issues also affected other participants, including Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was reportedly barred from entering the U.S. despite holding a valid visa. Infantino mentioned that countries facing serious health issues or other challenges were still granted visas. "When football brought Haiti to the world, a country that many cannot or choose not to visit, it might be time to set aside your pens and keyboards and show some respect to the teams that played," he concluded.