FIFA’s Infantino issues letter, accuses World Cup critics of spreading hate
FIFA faced criticism over several issues during the tournament, including a debate over US visa restrictions for teams. International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) President
FIFA faced criticism over several issues during the tournament, including a debate over US visa restrictions for teams. International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino has hit back at critics of the 2026 World Cup, accusing them of spreading hate and false narratives while defending the tournament as a success that celebrated ”happiness, unity, safety and togetherness”. In an open letter published on Instagram on Monday, Infantino, 56, said detractors had overlooked the joy and togetherness experienced by millions of fans around the world who witnessed the tournament, won by Spain and staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico. “You were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all,” he said. “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 comments came less than a week after FIFA said it was investigating an on-pitch altercation between Argentina and Spain players at the end of their World Cup final in New Jersey.
FIFA faced criticism over a series of issues during the tournament, including debate over US visa restrictions affecting supporters and officials from several countries and concerns involving teams from conflict-hit regions, such as Iran. Iran, who were knocked out in the group stage, had a turbulent experience, forced to move their training camp base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico due to the war in the Middle East. They also faced logistical issues travelling back and forth to the United States for their three group matches. Infantino’s letter also followed scrutiny of FIFA’s handling of the Folarin Balogun’s disciplinary case, a decision to suspend the automatic one-match ban imposed on the US striker after his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, following the intervention of US President Donald Trump. Officiating decisions in Argentina’s match against Egypt also generated widespread debate among fans and pundits. Though Infantino did not refer to specific cases, he argued that many of the refereeing and disciplinary decisions criticised during the tournament were commonplace in various competitions worldwide. “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 added.
The BriefWire