Key facts
- Fifa President Gianni Infantino accused World Cup critics of spreading hate and false narratives.
- Infantino stated the tournament experienced no violence, no incidents, and 100% safety and security.
- He claimed seven million people from over 200 countries attended the event.
- Infantino defended Iran's team receiving visas to enter the US, stating football is about peace.
- Human rights group FairSquare called Infantino unfit to govern world football.
Fifa President Gianni Infantino has issued a defiant message to critics of the World Cup, accusing them of spreading hate and false narratives while defending the tournament's success. In a 15-part message on Instagram, Infantino stated he has never been more determined and committed to his role.
Infantino claimed that critics were "consumed by hate" and missed the joy and togetherness experienced by millions of people who watched the tournament, which was won by Spain and staged across the US, Canada, and Mexico. He asserted that the event experienced "no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness," with seven million people from over 200 countries attending across 16 cities and stadiums.
The Fifa president also addressed concerns about US visa restrictions, particularly for teams from conflict-hit regions like Iran, stating that Iran entered the United States without incident and that football is about peace, not politics. He commented on officiating decisions, suggesting that mistaken cards or subsequent decisions not to ban players are common in major leagues.
Infantino's remarks follow scrutiny over issues such as US visa restrictions affecting supporters and officials, and Fifa's suspension of a one-match ban for USA striker Folarin Balogun after Donald Trump's intervention. Officiating in Argentina's win against Egypt also drew criticism from Egypt's manager, Hossam Hassan.
The human rights organization FairSquare criticized Infantino's statement, with director Nicholas McGeehan calling him "divorced from the reality of his unpopularity" and unfit to govern world football. FairSquare had previously filed a complaint against Infantino to the International Olympic Committee for breaching its charter on political neutrality, though the IOC stated the complaint fell outside its ethics commission's jurisdiction.