FIFA President Infantino Defends World Cup 2026 Against Critics, Cites 'Joy and Happiness'

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has launched a robust defense of the 2026 World Cup, directly confronting critics and accusing them of spreading "hate and false rumors." In an open letter published on FIFA's website and social media, Infantino urged detractors to "reflect, meditate, pray or watch a football match" after a tournament he described as delivering "only joy and happiness."

Infantino, 56, lamented that critics were so consumed by negativity that they missed the tournament's positive outcomes. "To those who, hidden behind their pens, their papers and their screens, spread hate and false rumors, I want to tell you that while you sit there, we at FIFA are on the front lines, organizing, working tirelessly and offering the best show in the world," he wrote. He emphasized that the tournament was marked by "absolute security and only joy and happiness," with no violence or incidents.

The months leading up to the World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States were shadowed by concerns over high ticket prices, geopolitical tensions, conflicts, and extreme summer heat. The participation of Iran, amid its ongoing conflict with the United States, along with Haiti's internal crisis and an Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, brought increased scrutiny to travel and visa restrictions. The case of Somali referee Omar Artan, denied entry into the United States, exemplified the strict immigration policies.

Infantino countered these criticisms by highlighting FIFA's role in fostering unity and peace. "While you were spreading hate, we were working tirelessly to unite two countries at war. Iran entered the United States without incidents or conflicts," he stated. He argued that visas were granted to Iran because "football represents peace" and was not a political matter. He also pointed out that visas were issued to individuals from countries facing severe health or other difficulties, suggesting that the focus on a few denied visas overlooked the millions who were granted entry. These remarks stand in contrast to the Iranian team's coach, Amir Ghalenoei, who described his team as the "most oppressed" at the World Cup, with star attacker Mehdi Taremi calling the treatment of his team a "disaster."

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Mientras ustedes difundían odio, nosotros trabajábamos sin descanso para unir a dos países en guerra. Irán entered Estados Unidos sin incidentes ni conflictos