FIFA President Gianni Infantino has launched a strong defence of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, rejecting criticism surrounding the tournament and insisting that football’s biggest event brought unity, peace and happiness to millions across the globe.
In an open letter published on Monday through FIFA’s official platforms and his Instagram account, Infantino accused critics of spreading what he described as “hate and false rumours” instead of recognizing the tournament’s achievements.
The FIFA president argued that despite concerns raised before and during the competition, the World Cup was successfully staged across Canada, Mexico and the United States without major security incidents.
According to Infantino, millions of football fans enjoyed the tournament in a peaceful atmosphere, making it one of the safest editions of the World Cup in recent history.
“We experienced no violence, no incidents, 100 percent safety and security, only joy and happiness,” he wrote, adding that critics had overlooked the positive impact of the tournament.
The competition faced intense international scrutiny before kickoff. Analysts and football stakeholders questioned high ticket prices, visa restrictions, political tensions and the challenges of hosting matches during the North American summer.
Additional concerns emerged over the participation of countries affected by conflict and health emergencies, including Iran, Haiti and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
One of the most debated issues involved Somali referee Omar Artan, who was reportedly denied entry into the United States under strict immigration measures, raising fresh questions about access for officials and visitors.
Infantino, however, maintained that FIFA worked closely with governments to ensure that football remained a platform for peace rather than politics.
He pointed to Iran’s participation in the tournament as evidence that sporting diplomacy could overcome political divisions.
“Football is about peace. It is not about politics,” he said, noting that teams from countries facing difficult circumstances were granted entry to compete.
The FIFA chief also dismissed criticism over visa approvals, arguing that attention had focused on a limited number of denied applications while ignoring the millions of successful entries processed during the competition.
Beyond travel concerns, Infantino addressed controversy surrounding refereeing and disciplinary decisions.
Debate intensified after reports claimed that former United States President Donald Trump had requested a review of a suspension imposed on American striker Folarin Balogun, allowing him to feature in the Round of 16 clash against Belgium.
The incident drew criticism from European football officials, with UEFA describing the development as unprecedented and raising concerns over the independence of football governance.
Responding to the controversy, Infantino argued that disputed refereeing calls and disciplinary rulings are common across major football leagues worldwide and should not overshadow the tournament itself.
He suggested that some of FIFA’s strongest critics came from countries where similar decisions regularly occur in domestic competitions.
Despite FIFA’s positive assessment, not everyone shared the organization’s view.
Iran national team coach Amir Ghalenoei described his squad as the “most oppressed” team at the tournament, while star striker Mehdi Taremi reportedly labelled the team’s experience a “disaster.”
The contrasting opinions highlight the broader debate over the legacy of the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, which has become one of the most discussed tournaments in football history.
While FIFA celebrates the competition as a symbol of unity and global cooperation, critics continue to question aspects of its organization, governance and fairness.
As attention shifts toward future international competitions, Infantino’s comments underline FIFA’s determination to defend the tournament’s reputation and reinforce its message that football remains a force capable of bringing nations together despite political and global challenges.
