Infantino defends World Cup referees and hails Iran visa solution in lengthy FIFA statement

Gianni Infantino has insisted controversial refereeing decisions at the 2026 World Cup were “routine and widely accepted” in major domestic competitions, while also defending FIFA’s role in helping Iran participate in the tournament despite visa restrictions with the United States.

The FIFA president, writing in a long open message published on the governing body’s official website, addressed criticism of match officials at the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and the diplomatic issues that forced Iran to be based in Mexico rather than on US soil.

Infantino argued that disputed red and yellow cards and subsequent disciplinary calls – including high-profile decisions taken during the World Cup – were no different from what happens in some of the sport’s leading leagues.

He wrote that “controversial” refereeing calls or “strange” disciplinary outcomes, such as red or yellow cards that “may be wrong” and later decisions not to suspend players “in certain situations”, are “routine and widely accepted in some of the biggest leagues around the world”.

He added: “It is astonishing that the same countries that use these practices are the ones that criticise them.”

Balogun red card decision defended

Infantino’s remarks came in the context of one of the tournament’s most disputed disciplinary episodes, involving United States forward Folarin Balogun.

FIFA’s disciplinary bodies lifted Balogun’s suspension despite his red card, clearing him to face Belgium in the last 16. The decision went ahead “despite the objection of the European confederation”, Infantino noted, a reference to opposition from UEFA.

Infantino argued that anger over such calls ignored the broader reality that similar judgments are commonplace in major leagues worldwide and can be found “in the public record”.

He said he understood “dissatisfaction” with some rulings taken by “competent authorities” but urged critics to compare them with decisions regularly taken in top domestic competitions.

Iran forced to base in Tijuana

The FIFA president also devoted significant space to the World Cup’s geopolitical backdrop, focusing on Iran’s participation and the visa restrictions that shaped their tournament.

Due to an inability to obtain long-term residence visas in the United States, Iran’s national team were forced to be accommodated in Tijuana, Mexico, rather than inside the US during the finals.

Infantino said FIFA had “worked tirelessly to unite two warring countries”, insisting that “Iran entered the United States in peace and without any dispute” for their matches.

He described how, once Iran began playing, “the fans became the homeland, they became the team, and they stood as one behind the Iranian national team”, calling it “the power of football”.

He stressed that Iran had been granted entry visas for the World Cup because, in his words, “football means peace, not politics. Football means unity, not division. Football is above hatred and discrimination.”

Infantino added that other countries facing “serious health problems or other challenges” had also been granted visas, arguing that their teams and supporters brought “hope, joy and pride” to millions at home, even if only “for a moment worth eternity”.

Broadside at media critics

Much of Infantino’s message was directed at journalists and commentators whom he accused of “spreading hatred and false rumours” instead of recognising what he called an incident-free, unifying tournament.

He apologised “to all those who missed our beautiful game” because they were “immersed in hatred and criticism” during the World Cup, claiming they had failed to see the “joy and togetherness” generated by the competition.

Addressing “those who sit behind their pens and papers, and behind their screens”, Infantino contrasted their work with what he described as FIFA being “on the front lines” organising “the best show in the world”.

He said that while critics “hide”, FIFA staff were in the streets of Canada, Mexico and the United States, “talking to fans, interacting with people and ensuring everyone’s safety”.

Infantino stated that during the tournament there was “no violence, no incidents, 100% security and safety – only joy and happiness”, saying that about seven million people from more than 200 countries attended matches across 16 cities and stadiums.

He added that “billions” watched around the world, sharing “moments of joy, emotion, happiness, unity and togetherness” with friends and family, and that “almost all global celebrities” from music, film, entertainment and sport had been present.

Celebration of smaller nations

Infantino highlighted the performances of teams from smaller countries, arguing that they had brought “pride” and, more importantly, “hope” that “anyone can be part of the world and achieve great success in the game, regardless of their origin”.

He cited Haiti as an example of how the tournament had introduced global audiences to nations that “many cannot visit or choose not to visit”, suggesting it was “time to show some respect” to teams that “played with all sincerity” and “competed intensely”, as well as to the host nations, travelling fans and children “who want to dream big dreams”.

Infantino repeatedly framed the World Cup as a celebration of “love, not hate; tolerance, not division; celebration, not mourning”, and urged his critics to “take a moment to think, reflect, pray or watch a football match and really look at the faces, eyes and emotions”.

He concluded by saying FIFA had “found peace” through staging “an exceptional World Cup”, calling on football to “rise above all forms of hatred”.

Infantino ended his message by saying he felt “very proud, as FIFA president, to have contributed, even in a small way, to this event,” adding: “It is a wonderful feeling. All love to everyone.”