Gianni Infantino directly addresses World Cup backlash in scathing 'spreading hate' rant

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has hit back at critics, accusing them of “spreading hate” following the controversy surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

On Sunday (July 26), the FIFA president slammed critics of the organisation in a rather bizarre social media rant.

Across a 15-slide Instagram post, Infantino accused critics of being “consumed by hate” while issuing a direct message to “those behind pens and papers” who were “spreading hate and false rumours”, while claiming FIFA were “working hard” to deliver the “best show in the world”.

Despite FIFA and Infantino being heavily criticised for several reasons, including the suspension of Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban, the treatment of the Iranian national team, the introduction of hydration breaks, his relationship with Donald Trump, the expansion of the tournament to 48 teams, as well as a number of other issues, the Swiss-Italian insisted that the World Cup brought “no violence, no incident” and “only joy and happiness”.

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Infantino went on to thank the governments of the three host countries – the US, Mexico and Canada – before telling those who criticised FIFA to “meditate, pray or watch a football match” instead of “hating” the organisation.

Despite many fans experiencing visa issues before and during the tournament, as well as FIFA referee Omar Artan being denied entry before the World Cup, Infantino claimed “countries facing serious health issues” were “granted visas”, adding that “few people” were denied, while the fact that millions were approved had been overlooked by critics.

Addressing refereeing decisions and seemingly referring to the Balogun saga, he added: “Your dissatisfaction with a few decisions made by the competent authorities is understandable, but please refer to public records: such decisions are common in some of the most important leagues.

“Indeed, ‘arguable’ refereeing 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.”

Infantino rounded off the bizarre statement by saying he is “incredibly proud” to be FIFA president and to have delivered the “most outstanding World Cup”.

The statement is unlikely to see the criticism subside, with Norwegian FA chief Lise Klaveness confirming the organisation will lodge a formal complaint with the FIFA Ethics Committee over Trump's interference in the Balogun saga.

UEFA’s relationship with FIFA has also been strained over the Balogun case, with the European body accusing FIFA of “crossing a red line” before adding that the move was “incomprehensible and unjustifiable”.

The result of FIFA’s ongoing investigation into the actions of Argentina’s players after the World Cup final will also likely be under the microscope, with Infantino further annoying fans after a letter to the Argentine FA praising the South Americans’ professionalism was leaked on Saturday (July 25).

Gianni Infantino's 15-slide World Cup rant in full

My message for all those who…

To everyone who missed our beautiful game, the emotions, the celebrations, the laughter, the crying, the deception, and the joy. 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. Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all.

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.

While you hide, we are exploring the streets of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, talking with fans, engaging with people, and ensuring everyone’s safety.

While you divide, we unite.

People came together as families, as fans, as one.

We experienced no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness!

Seven million people from over 200 countries enjoyed the tournament across 16 fantastic cities and stadiums: zero incidents, zero hostility, zero violence, just joy, emotions, happiness, unity, and togetherness. All were safe, secure, and happy.

Billions worldwide watched the FIFA World Cup™ from home, sharing moments of love for the game with friends and family, moments filled with joy, emotions, happiness, unity, and togetherness.

Virtually all global celebrities from music, movies, entertainment, and sports attended, enjoying the event, spending time with fans and us. They were joyful and happy.

All of this was made possible thanks to the governments of the three host countries and their tremendous contributions, thanks to FIFA and its fantastic team working for you, thanks to the host countries and all their people, the police forces and their incredible commitment, and the volunteers - oh, the volunteers, those amazing people who came from all around the world to be part of the greatest event on earth.

Every city was packed with fans from all around the globe. While they celebrated, you were busy planting seeds of hate.

Our world needs love, not hate; tolerance, not division; celebration, not mourning.

While you spread hatred, we worked tirelessly to unite two countries at war. Iran entered the United States without incident or conflict. When the Iranian team began playing, all the chants against them turned into a single song. The fans became the country, they became the team, and they stood behind Team Melli. This is the power of football. The Iranian team received visas to enter because football is about peace. It’s not about politics. Football is about unity, not division. Football is bigger than hate and discrimination.

Countries facing serious health issues or other challenges were granted visas. Their teams competing and fans cheering filled millions of people back home with hope and, if only for a moment worth eternity, with joy and pride.

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.

Or when football brought Haiti to the world, a country that many cannot or choose not to visit, it might be time to set aside your pens and keyboards and show some respect to the teams that played with their hearts, that competed hard, the countries that contributed, the fans who traveled, and the children from everywhere who want to dream big. Maybe it’s time to show some love.

Your dissatisfaction with a few decisions made by the competent authorities is understandable, but please refer to public records: such decisions are common in some of the most important leagues.

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.

It's curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticising.

This FIFA World Cup celebrated humanity at its best. We saw teams from small nations compete proudly in the most prestigious matches. They were confident, professional, and brought pride to their countries. Most importantly, they gave hope; hope that anyone can be part of the world, be big in the game, regardless of where they come from. We are all equal: fans, players, and just human beings.

At FIFA, we couldn’t be more proud or emotional witnessing these moments of love, joy, and unity.

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.

Because only our beautiful game can deliver such an extraordinary show, a show where everyone becomes one and reconnects as humans.

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.

Finally I am incredibly proud, as FIFA President, to have contributed, even a little, to this show. It’s a great feeling!

Much love to all.

Gianni Infantino FIFA President

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