FIFA president accuses critics of ‘hate’ in defence of 2026 World Cup record
The International Federation of Association Football president defended the tournament’s safety and unity, dismissing complaints from human rights groups and contrasting his narrative with accounts from participating teams.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has issued a forceful defence of the 2026 World Cup, accusing detractors of spreading “hate” and false narratives in the aftermath of the tournament. In an open letter published on Instagram, Infantino characterised the event, staged across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as a triumph of “happiness, unity, safety and togetherness,” noting that Spain claimed the title in the final.
The statement comes amid intense scrutiny regarding US visa restrictions that impacted teams such as Iran and Haiti, the disciplinary handling of US striker Folarin Balogun, and various refereeing decisions. Infantino argued that football transcends political divisions and dismissed allegations of bias, asserting that the tournament experienced “no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security.”
Infantino specifically addressed the participation of Iran, which faced a turbulent experience due to geopolitical tensions and logistical issues, including a forced move of their training camp from Arizona to Mexico. He contrasted his view with comments from Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei, who described Team Melli as the “most oppressed” team at the World Cup. Infantino stated that Iran entered the United States “without incident or conflict,” framing their participation as a testament to peace rather than politics.
The letter also touched on the case of Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was barred from entering the US despite holding a valid visa, and the involvement of countries facing health crises, such as Haiti and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Infantino claimed that potentially mistaken red or yellow cards and subsequent decisions not to ban players are “routine and widely accepted” in major leagues worldwide, suggesting that critics employing these practices should show respect to the teams that played.
Concurrently, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) rejected a complaint lodged by human rights group FairSquare, which alleged that Infantino breached political neutrality rules by supporting US President Donald Trump. The IOC stated the matter fell outside the Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction, marking another point of contention in the post-tournament fallout.
