FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the organisation’s handling of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, accusing critics of spreading “hate and false rumours” and insisting the tournament delivered a safe and successful experience.
In an open letter published on Monday and shared on his Instagram account and FIFA’s official channels, Infantino urged critics to “take a moment to reflect, meditate, pray” after the tournament.
“Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all,” Infantino wrote.
“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 said the tournament passed without major security incidents.
“We experienced no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness,” he wrote.
The tournament, hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, faced scrutiny before and during the competition over concerns including high ticket prices, visa restrictions, geopolitical tensions and extreme summer temperatures.
Iran’s participation during its conflict with the United States, as well as concerns related to Haiti’s domestic crisis and the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, also drew attention to travel and entry restrictions.
Among the most prominent cases was Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States under immigration restrictions imposed during President Donald Trump’s administration.
Despite the criticism, Infantino defended FIFA’s management of the tournament, saying the organisation had successfully delivered the world’s premier football event.