Gianni Infantino Accuses World Cup Critics of Spreading Hate in Open Letter

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has issued a strong rebuke to critics of the 2026 World Cup, accusing them of spreading hate and false narratives about the tournament. In an open letter published Monday, Infantino claimed the event, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, was a celebration of unity, safety and inclusion that detractors deliberately overlooked.

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.

The letter comes as the tournament, won by Spain, winds down after a month of competition that drew millions of fans to stadiums across North America. Infantino insisted the event experienced no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness.

Key facts

Criticism over visa and access issues

The World Cup faced scrutiny over U.S. visa policies that affected supporters and officials from several countries. Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was barred from entering the United States despite holding a valid visa, drawing attention to inconsistencies in the travel approval process. The Iranian national team also encountered difficult travel restrictions imposed by the U.S. government, linked to ongoing tensions between the two countries.

Infantino defended FIFA’s handling of the situation, stating that 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 wrote. Countries facing serious health issues or other challenges were granted visas.

Balogun suspension and Trump intervention

The letter also addressed the controversy surrounding U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, whose potential one-match ban was suspended after an intervention by former President Donald Trump. Infantino did not directly address the unusual nature of the intervention but framed the decision as part of normal FIFA practice. He compared it to routine disciplinary discretion applied in major leagues worldwide.

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, Infantino wrote. It’s curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticising.

Officiating and Egypt complaint

Infantino’s letter also touched on officiating decisions during Argentina’s last-16 victory over Egypt, which drew strong criticism from Egypt manager Hossam Hassan. The FIFA president argued that disputed calls are part of the game and that similar allowances are made in domestic leagues without the same level of outcry.

The open letter is likely to provoke further debate, given Infantino’s history of defensive statements. On the eve of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he famously declared, Today I feel Qatari. Today I feel Arabic. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel a migrant worker. That remark was widely ridiculed and cited as evidence of his disconnect from critics.

Why this matters for soccer fans

Infantino’s letter reflects the ongoing tension between FIFA’s leadership and those who raise concerns about governance, human rights, and logistical fairness at major tournaments. For NationalSportsWeb readers, the story highlights the political and operational complexities behind a World Cup that was supposed to showcase unity but instead revived familiar debates about FIFA’s handling of controversy.

Source: The Guardian – Fifa president Gianni Infantino accuses critics of spreading hate at World Cup (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/27/gianni-infantino-hits-out-fifa-critics-hate-open-letter-world-cup)