FIFA president Gianni Infantino has delivered a fierce broadside at critics of the World Cup, accusing them of being “consumed by hate” and urging detractors to “meditate, pray or watch a football match” to “find peace.”
With the six-week tournament now officially concluded, Infantino used a 15-slide Instagram post to confront his opponents directly, appearing to respond to several controversies that surrounded the summer competition.
The outburst was posted across Infantino’s personal Instagram account and cross-posted to FIFA’s official page on Sunday night, reaching over 13 million followers.
Infantino, who did not hold a press conference either at the start of the World Cup or after its conclusion, opened his lengthy message by addressing those who, in his words, had “missed our beautiful game, the emotions, the celebrations, the laughter, the crying, the deception and the joy.”
He argued that those critics had failed to appreciate the tournament because they were “so consumed by hate and criticism.”
The FIFA chief also appeared to direct part of his criticism toward the media, saying his detractors had remained “behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumors.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino issued a forceful response to World Cup critics on Sunday
In a 15-slide Instagram statement, Infantino said some critics were “so consumed by hate and criticism” that they failed to appreciate “our beautiful game, the emotions, the laughter and the joy”
“I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organizing, working hard and delivering the best show in the world,” Infantino added.
Infantino, 56, then claimed: ‘We experienced no violence, no incidents, 100 percent safety and security, only joy and happiness!’
However, critics online were quick to point out a number of violent incidents that occurred as a direct result of the six-week summer tournament.
In fact, the opening day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup was hit by violent protests as riot police fired tear gas at demonstrators prior to Mexico’s game against South Africa.
The massive demonstrations were fueled by a coalition of multiple unions and activist groups marching to draw global eyes to the country’s severe domestic issues.
The most prominent groups mobilizing include searching mothers’ collectives, the CNTE teachers’ union, federal judiciary workers and various transport organizations. In total, it was reported that eight simultaneous protests took place.
Away from the tournament’s opening day, there were a number of violent incidents that occurred at fan parks and during post-match celebrations worldwide.
Most tragically, Infantino’s claim of ‘zero incidents’ ignored the death of four supporters in Mexico City, who suffocated during chaotic street celebrations following Mexico’s round of 32 victory over Ecuador.
Infantino claimed: ‘We experienced no violence, no incidents, 100 percent safety and security’
However, there were a number of violent incidents throughout the tournament – such as when protestors clashed with riot police prior to the very first game of the 2026 World Cup
While Mexico secured a 2-0 victory over South Africa, thousands of protesters hit the capital
While Infantino previously offered condolences on social media, the day after the tragedy, his 15-slide post made no mention of the victims when boasting about tournament safety.
Meanwhile, other fans noted that FIFA opted to proceed with the tournament despite fans from four competing nations, Iran, Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast, facing US travel bans imposed by the Trump administration.
In another case, Somali referee Omar Artan saw his dreams of officiating in a World Cup crushed after being prohibited from entering the US on the tournament’s eve.
Trump’s administration then made a bombshell claim that Artan, who was named as Africa’s best male referee last year, was denied entry due to terrorism fears.
Infantino appeared to address the controversy surrounding both the fans and the official.
He wrote: ‘You mentioned the few people denied visas and overlooked the millions who were approved, from all parts of the world. Because football unites the world, and it was demonstrated impressively this summer.’
Elsewhere in his social media rant, Infantino claimed that ‘Iran entered the United States without incident or conflict.’
However, fans noted that only four of the fifteen Iranian team staff members who were originally denied visas were later granted the right to travel into the country.
Despite a number of incidents regarding visas being denied, Infantino downplayed that aspect
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry to the United States to officiate
The Iranian Football Federation alleged that the US and FIFA did not want them at the World Cup
US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin also sparked fury after claiming that ‘almost half’ of Iran’s non-playing delegation had direct ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
‘Iranians are used to the mistreatment and lies of US officials, so no one in Iran is surprised by these hostile remarks,’ an official for the federation said, via The Telegraph.
‘These remarks once again demonstrate that US officials have no commitment to international law or the principles expected of a host nation capable of organizing a global sporting event.’
Infantino also appeared to fire a direct shot at critics regarding the mid-tournament storm surrounding Donald Trump and USMNT forward Folarin Balogun.
The striker was sent off during the USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, meaning that he should have been unavailable for their next game against Belgium.
However, on the eve of the game, FIFA announced that they had postponed his suspension – sparking widespread fury from fans across the globe.
It was later revealed that Trump had phoned up Infantino, who previously presented the US president with an inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, and asked for the case to be reviewed, leading fans to launch accusations of political interference.
Addressing the controversy, Infantino wrote: ‘Indeed, ‘arguable’ referees’ decisions or ‘strange’ disciplinary rulings such as for instance 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.
Hinting at the drama surrounding Folarin Balogun’s postponed suspension, Infantino claimed that instances like that ‘are routine and widely accepted in the biggest leagues worldwide’
The forward, who was sent off for this tackle, will now be available to face Belgium on Monday
It later emerged that Trump had called Infantino over the matter prior to a decision being made
‘It’s curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticizing,’ the FIFA chief added on the matter.
The unprecedented ruling sparked furious accusations of political favoritism from UEFA, the Belgian Football Association and countless European lawmakers.
The Norwegian Football Federation have also since confirmed plans to file a formal complaint over Trump’s role in the decision.
He capped off his tirade by telling his detractors to step away from their computers and find peace.
‘To those spending their time and energy hating us, please take a moment to reflect, meditate, pray, or watch a football match and truly observe the faces, the eyes, the emotions,’ Infantino concluded.
‘To the pens and papers, to all the screens, may you find love and peace where the people behind you couldn’t. May you find peace; we at FIFA have found ours and we deliver it, by delivering the most outstanding FIFA World Cup. May football rise above all hate.’
