Infantino accuses critics of spreading hate as FIFA defends 2026 World Cup record
Gianni Infantino claims the tournament delivered unity and security, dismissing allegations of outside influence and officiating disputes as ‘seeds of hate’ spread by media.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has issued a forceful defence of the 2026 World Cup, accusing critics and media outlets of spreading false rumours and “seeds of hate” in the aftermath of the tournament. The statement, released via Instagram earlier this month following the conclusion of the event, sought to counter heavy scrutiny regarding visa issues, alleged outside influence on decision-making, and officiating controversies.
Infantino directly addressed those “behind their pens and papers” and “behind their screens,” contrasting their negative coverage with what he described as FIFA’s hard work on the front lines. He characterised the tournament as a “spectacular competition” that delivered the best show in the world, emphasising the global audience that enjoyed the event away from the prevailing news cycles.
The FIFA president highlighted the tournament’s success in fostering unity across the three host nations, citing the participation of the Iranian national team as a key example. He noted that Iran played despite existing conflicts with the United States, framing the event as a triumph of tolerance over division. Infantino also pointed to the tournament’s security record as a significant achievement amidst the geopolitical tensions.
Addressing specific criticisms, Infantino minimised reports of visa troubles for team officials by noting that millions of people were not stopped from entering the host countries. Regarding refereeing disputes, he implied that critics apply the same standards to their domestic leagues, attempting to downplay the arguments against FIFA’s officiating. He urged the world to focus on love and celebration rather than mourning and division.
The rebuke comes as FIFA faces legal scrutiny from New York and New Jersey attorneys-general, who have issued a subpoena regarding ticket sales. The investigation focuses on allegations that dynamic pricing exceeded costs from previous tournaments and that fans were misled about seat locations, particularly at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
As the European football season approaches in less than a month, marking the start of a new World Cup cycle, Infantino’s message appears an attempt to consolidate the tournament’s legacy. He concluded by reiterating that while critics planted seeds of hate, FIFA remained focused on delivering a successful global event.
