Infantino dismisses World Cup 2026 controversies as 'hate' in post-tournament defence
Gianni Infantino claims the tournament delivered 'zero incidents' despite visa denials, political interference allegations, and ongoing ethical inquiries.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has issued a forceful defence of the 2026 World Cup, urging critics to "meditate, pray or watch a football match" rather than spreading what he described as "hate and false rumours". In a 15-slide Instagram post shared with the governing body’s eight million followers, Infantino asserted that the tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, delivered "100% safety and security" and "zero incidents".
The Fifa president specifically addressed controversies surrounding visa denials and logistical failures, particularly those affecting the Iranian national team. Infantino claimed Iran entered the United States "without incident or conflict", framing their participation as a triumph of unity despite ongoing geopolitical tensions. This assertion stands in stark contrast to comments from Iran’s head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, who described his team as the "most oppressed" at the tournament, citing visa delays, revoked ticket allocations, and restricted movements between training bases and matches.
Further scrutiny was directed at the suspension of a one-match ban for US forward Folarin Balogun, a decision made after intervention by US President Donald Trump. While UEFA labelled the move "unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustifiable", Infantino argued that such rulings are "routine and widely accepted" in major leagues worldwide. The Norwegian Football Federation is currently considering filing a formal complaint to Fifa’s ethics committee regarding the decision, noting that only one other player has escaped a suspension for a red card in men's World Cup history.
The International Olympic Committee has ruled that a complaint regarding Infantino’s potential breach of political neutrality falls outside its ethics commission’s jurisdiction. This follows the Trump administration’s imposition of travel bans affecting fans from Haiti, Senegal, and Ivory Coast, and the denial of entry to Somali referee Omar Artan, who held a diplomatic passport. Additionally, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials were present at stadiums, a move that drew significant criticism during the event.
Despite Infantino’s claims of a flawless event, Fifa is currently investigating altercations involving Argentina players and backroom staff following their loss to Spain in the final. The governing body is also probing allegations of racist abuse directed at American social media influencer IShowSpeed, while arrests were made at multiple matches, including during England’s semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta. Infantino concluded his statement by calling for "love, not hate", asserting that the tournament celebrated humanity at its best.
