Infantino defends 2026 World Cup, accusing critics of missing football's unifying power

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the 2026 World Cup, accusing critics of focusing on negativity while overlooking what he said was a tournament that united people across borders and cultures.

In an open letter published on Monday, Infantino said the month-long competition, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico and won by Spain, demonstrated football's unique ability to bring people together despite political tensions and global challenges.

"You were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all," he wrote.

Addressing journalists and online commentators directly, he added: "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."

Infantino also insisted the tournament had been delivered safely, saying: "We experienced no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness!"

Response to criticism over refereeing and disciplinary decisions

The World Cup was not without controversy, with FIFA facing scrutiny over several refereeing and disciplinary decisions throughout the tournament.

Among the most debated incidents was the handling of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's suspension following his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina. FIFA's decision to overturn the automatic one-match ban after intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump prompted widespread criticism.

Officiating in Argentina's match against Egypt also sparked heated debate among supporters and football analysts.

Without referring to any incident directly, Infantino argued that contentious refereeing decisions are part of the sport and are not unique to FIFA competitions.

"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," he said.

"It's curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticising."

Visa restrictions and participation under the spotlight

The tournament also drew attention over visa issues affecting supporters, officials and participants from several countries.

Questions were raised about travel restrictions involving nations experiencing conflict or humanitarian crises, while Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was unable to enter the U.S. despite holding a valid visa.

Infantino nevertheless argued the competition proved football could transcend politics.

"Iran entered the United States without incident or conflict. The Iranian team received visas to enter because football is about peace. It's not about politics," he said.

He also highlighted the participation of countries facing exceptional domestic challenges, including Haiti and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, saying football had provided an opportunity for them to be represented on the world stage.

"When football brought Haiti to the world, a country that many cannot or choose not to visit, it might be time to set aside your pens and keyboards and show some respect to the teams that played."

A tournament amid heightened debate

The expanded 48-team World Cup was staged across three host nations for the first time and attracted global audiences throughout the month-long tournament.

While FIFA has hailed the competition as an organisational success, debates over officiating, governance, visa access and political influence continued throughout the event, highlighting the challenges of staging the world's biggest football tournament against an increasingly complex geopolitical backdrop.

Infantino's letter represents FIFA's clearest public response yet to those criticisms, with the governing body's president arguing that the tournament should ultimately be remembered for the football, the atmosphere and the sense of unity experienced by millions of fans around the world.

Read more:

• Trump urges FIFA to bring another World Cup to the United States
• FIFA suspends Balogun ban after Trump appeals red card decision

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