FIFA President Gianni Infantino issued a strongly worded statement on July 27, 2026, addressing critics of the recent World Cup. Posting a 15-page message on FIFA's website, his personal Instagram account, and FIFA's social channels, Infantino apologized to those who missed the tournament's unifying moments, saying, "Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all."

Infantino claimed the tournament brought "no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness!" He also highlighted the event's role in uniting people across generations and nations.

However, the World Cup faced criticism, notably from Iran. Iran's head coach Amir Ghalenoei described his team as the "most oppressed" due to travel disruptions and several support staff being denied visas. Infantino acknowledged that Iran was treated differently compared to other teams but emphasized that millions of visas were approved worldwide, underscoring football's unifying power.

The statement also touched on disciplinary controversies. After awarding US President Donald Trump the newly introduced FIFA Peace Prize in December, Trump admitted to lobbying Infantino to suspend the red card ban of US striker Folarin Balogun—a rare move at a World Cup. Infantino criticized the European governing body UEFA for publicly stating FIFA had "crossed a red line" in the Balogun incident, remarking, "It's curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticizing."

Shortly after the World Cup final, Trump recommended Infantino for the post of United Nations secretary-general, a position open at the end of the year.

Infantino's message, while apologetic in tone, defended FIFA's handling of the tournament and dismissed various misconduct concerns raised by critics.

Sources