Fifa president Gianni Infantino issued a lengthy response to critics of his leadership and the 2026 World Cup tournament through a 15-slide Instagram post, urging detractors to focus on the sport rather than what he characterized as unfounded complaints. In his message, Infantino asserted that the tournament represented the “greatest event on earth” and highlighted what he described as successful outcomes, including the participation of Iran despite geopolitical tensions with co-host the United States.
The Fifa president downplayed controversies that emerged during tournament preparations and competition. He acknowledged visa denials affecting a small number of individuals while emphasizing that millions of supporters and participants from around the world were successfully processed. Infantino stated that the tournament achieved “100% safety and security” with “zero incidents, zero violence,” characterizing the event as a demonstration of global unity through football.
However, Infantino’s claims regarding the tournament’s smooth operation contradicted statements from other stakeholders and documented incidents. Iran’s head coach described his team as the “most oppressed” at the World Cup, pointing to visa delays, denied entry for backroom staff members, and revoked fan ticket allocations. Fans from multiple nations also faced travel restrictions, and Omar Artan, a Somali referee, was denied entry despite holding appropriate documentation. Additionally, Fifa remains involved in investigations related to player altercations following the final match, allegations of racist abuse, and arrests of supporters at various venues.
Infantino also addressed criticism of officiating decisions, particularly regarding the suspension of a ban for a United States player following intervention by President Donald Trump. He contended that such rulings occur routinely in major sports leagues worldwide, though Uefa and other football organizations characterized the decision as unprecedented and inappropriate. The International Olympic Committee announced it would not investigate potential breaches of political neutrality related to these matters.
In his concluding remarks, Infantino urged critics to reflect and appreciate the tournament’s unifying aspects, arguing that football delivers exceptional human connection and emotion that transcends divisions and conflict.
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