FIFA president Gianni Infantino has launched a robust defence of his leadership and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, urging critics to focus on football rather than what he described as negativity and misinformation surrounding the tournament.
In a lengthy message shared on his personal Instagram account and reposted to FIFA’s official audience of more than eight million followers, Infantino responded directly to journalists and online commentators, arguing that while critics concentrated on controversy, FIFA had delivered what he called the world’s biggest sporting event.
He portrayed the tournament as a celebration of unity and diversity, insisting it had been conducted in complete safety and had brought together supporters from across the globe in an atmosphere of joy.
Infantino also highlighted Iran’s participation as an example of football’s ability to bridge political divisions. Despite ongoing tensions between Iran and co-host nation the United States, he said FIFA had successfully ensured the team’s participation without conflict.
That assessment contrasted sharply with comments made during the tournament by Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei, who described his squad as the most disadvantaged team at the competition.
Iran encountered a series of logistical problems before and during the World Cup. Visa delays prevented several members of the delegation from entering the United States, key backroom staff were refused entry, supporters lost portions of their ticket allocation, and the team’s planned training base in Tucson, Arizona, had to be relocated to Tijuana, Mexico. The squad also faced restrictions while travelling between its base and group-stage matches in Los Angeles and Seattle.
Travel-related issues extended beyond Iran. Supporters from Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast were affected by US travel restrictions, while Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry despite carrying a diplomatic passport and a valid US visa because of alleged links to individuals suspected of involvement with terrorist organisations.
Addressing those concerns, Infantino argued that attention had been placed on a relatively small number of rejected visa applications while overlooking the millions of visitors who entered the tournament’s host countries successfully.
The FIFA president also rejected criticism over security, stating the competition passed without violence and describing it as an event defined by unity and celebration.
However, several investigations linked to the World Cup remain ongoing. FIFA is examining clashes involving Argentina and Spain players and staff following the final, as well as allegations of racist abuse directed at online personality IShowSpeed. Authorities also made arrests at multiple matches, including after England’s semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta, while the presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers at stadiums generated further debate.
Infantino also defended FIFA’s handling of disciplinary matters, particularly the decision to suspend USA forward Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban before the team’s last-16 fixture after intervention from US President Donald Trump.
The ruling drew widespread criticism because only one other player among the 191 red cards shown in men’s World Cup history has avoided serving a suspension. UEFA condemned the decision as unprecedented and unjustifiable, while the Norwegian Football Federation is considering submitting a complaint to FIFA’s ethics committee.
Infantino dismissed the backlash, arguing that comparable disciplinary decisions are routinely made in major domestic leagues and suggesting some of FIFA’s strongest critics come from countries where similar practices are already accepted.
Separately, the International Olympic Committee confirmed it would not investigate Infantino over allegations that political neutrality had been compromised, concluding that a complaint submitted by human rights organisation FairSquare did not fall within the jurisdiction of its ethics commission.
Ending his statement, Infantino called on detractors to reflect on the positive moments created by the World Cup and urged them to embrace the values of respect, tolerance and unity that he believes football represents.