FIFA president Gianni Infantino has launched a robust defence of his leadership following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, accusing critics of “spreading hate” and urging them to “meditate, pray or watch a football match” instead of attacking world football’s governing body.
Infantino’s strongly worded response comes days after former FIFA president Sepp Blatter declared that the tournament had “lost its credibility” because of alleged political interference, while LaLiga president Javier Tebas also called for the FIFA chief to resign.
Rather than addressing the criticism through a traditional post-tournament press conference, Infantino published a 15-slide message on Instagram, which was also distributed by FIFA’s communications department and shared across the federation’s official social media platforms.
‘You missed the joy,’ says FIFA president Photocredit: Getty Images
In the lengthy statement, Infantino insisted the expanded 48-team World Cup represented football at its very best and argued that critics had ignored the tournament’s positive impact.
“To all of you who missed watching kids, babies, grandparents, and parents come together for the beautiful game, I say sorry that the matches are now over and sorry that you missed all that joy and togetherness.”
He continued: “Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all.”
The FIFA president also defended the organisation’s work behind the scenes.
“To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumors, 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 concluded by advising his critics to channel their energy elsewhere.
“Meditate, pray or watch a football match” instead of spending time “hating” FIFA.
Infantino praises World Cup success
The FIFA president described the tournament as a celebration of humanity, pointing to its global audience and widespread public interest.
According to Infantino, billions of people followed the competition worldwide, while celebrities from music, film, entertainment and sport attended matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
He also insisted the tournament delivered on safety.
“No incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness.”
Infantino thanked the three host nations, volunteers, security agencies and organisers for ensuring what he described as a successful World Cup.
Infantino criticism centred on political interference says former FIFA president Sepp Blatter. Photocredit: Getty Images
Infantino’s response comes after his predecessor, Sepp Blatter, claimed politics had overshadowed football during the competition.
Blatter argued that while eventual champions Spain deserved their triumph, the tournament’s credibility suffered because of controversial decisions away from the pitch.
The former FIFA president renewed his criticism of Infantino by backing growing calls for fresh leadership at FIFA.
Balogun controversy remains at the centre of the criticism
Much of the post-tournament debate continues to revolve around FIFA’s decision to suspend the automatic one-match ban imposed on United States striker Folarin Balogun after his red card in the Round of 32.
The disciplinary committee placed the suspension on probation, allowing Balogun to face Belgium.
The ruling sparked accusations of political interference after United States President Donald Trump later revealed he had spoken with Infantino and requested a review of the case.
FIFA has consistently denied any political influence over the disciplinary process, maintaining that the committee acted independently and within its regulations.
However, the decision drew criticism from UEFA, the Belgian Football Federation, European lawmakers and several football administrators.
Norway’s Football Federation has also announced plans to file a formal complaint with FIFA over the handling of the case.
READMORE: ‘The World Cup lost its credibility’ – Sepp Blatter renews attack on Infantino backs calls for FIFA president to resign
The Balogun episode was only one of several issues that generated scrutiny during the tournament.
Questions were raised over U.S. travel restrictions that affected supporters and officials from several participating nations, visa complications involving Iran’s delegation, the exclusion of Somali referee Omar Artan, and ongoing investigations by multiple U.S. state attorneys general into FIFA’s World Cup ticket pricing.
Infantino also defended FIFA’s handling of visa issues, arguing that critics focused on a small number of rejected applications while overlooking the millions of successful entries granted throughout the competition.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino says football’s governing body will examine a proposal to expand the FIFA World Cup to 64 teams from 2030, a move that could hand Africa additional qualification places. Photocredit: Getty Images
Despite growing criticism from senior football figures, Infantino showed little indication that he intends to alter FIFA’s direction.
Instead, the Swiss administrator portrayed the 2026 World Cup as one of the organisation’s greatest achievements and suggested history would judge the tournament more favourably than many of its critics.
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His comments further deepen the divide between FIFA’s current leadership and some of the game’s most influential voices, with debate over governance, political neutrality and the future direction of world football showing no signs of easing.
