Gianni Infantino rejects World Cup backlash and accuses critics of ‘spreading hate’

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has launched a robust defence of the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States, insisting the tournament delivered “only joy and happiness” and accusing its critics of “spreading hate and false rumours”.

In a lengthy open letter released on Monday via his Instagram account and Fifa’s official platforms, Infantino said those who attacked the event should “take a moment to reflect, meditate, pray” after a tournament overshadowed by rows over ticket prices, visa restrictions and wider geopolitical tensions.

“Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all,” Infantino wrote, arguing that detractors had ignored what he described as a safe, successful competition across the three host nations.

‘On the front lines’ of the World Cup

Infantino said Fifa had delivered the event in an atmosphere he claimed was free of disorder and security concerns.

“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,” he wrote.

“We experienced no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness!”

The build-up to the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the US had been dominated by concerns over soaring costs for fans, the impact of geopolitical strains, the backdrop of armed conflict and the threat of intense summer heat in host cities.

There was also scrutiny of entry rules and documentation, with particular focus on countries affected by conflict or health emergencies.

Visas, politics and Iran’s World Cup presence

Iran’s participation, set against war with the United States, placed visa policy and travel controls under fresh examination. Haiti’s internal turmoil and the Ebola outbreak in the DRC added to questions over how authorities would handle entry for teams and supporters from countries facing severe crises.

Somali referee Omar Artan became one of the most high-profile figures affected by US immigration restrictions under president Donald Trump when he was refused entry to the country.

Infantino, however, said Fifa had worked to ensure that teams could compete regardless of political tensions.

“While you spread hatred, we worked tirelessly to unite two countries at war. Iran entered the US without incident or conflict,” he said.

“The Iranian team received visas to enter because football is about peace. It’s not about politics.

“Countries facing serious health issues or other challenges were granted visas,” he added. “You mentioned the few people denied visas and overlooked the millions who were approved, from all parts of the world.”

His defence contrasted with comments from Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei, who claimed his side were the “most oppressed” team at the World Cup. Forward Mehdi Taremi described the national team’s treatment during the tournament as a “disaster”.

Balogun case and refereeing controversy

Infantino also responded to criticism of refereeing and disciplinary matters at the competition, amid uproar over the handling of a ban for United States striker Folarin Balogun.

Trump had personally asked Infantino to review a one-match suspension imposed on Balogun, which was subsequently lifted, enabling the forward to play against Belgium in the last 16.

The intervention drew condemnation from European football’s governing body UEFA, which labelled the outcome “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable” and said it “crossed a red line”.

Addressing those objections, Infantino argued that contentious disciplinary calls were far from unusual in elite football.

“Your dissatisfaction with a few decisions made by the competent authorities is understandable, but please refer to public records: such decisions are common in some of the most important leagues,” he said.

“Indeed, ‘arguable’ referees’ decisions or ‘strange’ disciplinary rulings such as, for instance, 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.

“It’s curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticising.”

Infantino’s letter did not address specific individual matches or decisions beyond those already in the public domain, but sought instead to present the tournament as a success story overshadowed, in his view, by ill-founded negativity.