Fifa President Gianni Infantino has told critics of his leadership, the governing body and the World Cup to “meditate, pray or watch a football match” instead of “spreading hate and false rumours”.
In a 15-slide post on his personal Instagram account, which was later reposted to Fifa’s eight million followers, Infantino defended the organisation’s handling of the World Cup and criticised those “behind their pens and papers, behind their screens”.
He said critics were “busy planting seeds of hate” while Fifa was delivering the “greatest event on earth”.
Infantino described the World Cup as an event that “celebrated humanity at its best”, adding that the 2026 tournament had “100% safety and security, only joy and happiness”.
He also defended the participation of Iran despite the country’s conflict with co-host the United States, saying Fifa “worked tirelessly to unite two countries at war”, with Iran entering the country “without incident or conflict”.
His comments contrasted with those of Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei, who said his team were the “most oppressed” at the World Cup.
Iran experienced visa delays, key backroom staff were denied entry into the United States, fans lost their ticket allocations and the team had to relocate their training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico before the tournament. The squad also faced travel restrictions during the competition.
Supporters from Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast were also affected by travel bans imposed by the Trump administration, while Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States despite holding a diplomatic passport and a valid US visa.
Infantino defended the tournament’s handling of visas, writing: “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 impressively demonstrated this summer.”
He also insisted there were “zero incidents, zero violence, just joy, emotions, happiness, unity, and togetherness”.
However, Fifa is investigating Argentina after players and members of the backroom staff were involved in altercations following the World Cup final against Spain. The governing body is also investigating allegations of racist abuse directed at American content creator IShowSpeed, while supporters were arrested at several matches, including after England’s semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta.
Infantino also defended Fifa’s decision to suspend USA forward Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban before the team’s last-16 match following intervention by US President Donald Trump.
He said such decisions were “routine and widely accepted in some of the biggest leagues worldwide”, adding: “It’s curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticising.”
Concluding his message, Infantino urged critics “to show some love” and “respect” for the tournament.
He wrote: “While they celebrated, you were busy planting seeds of hate. Our world needs love, not hate; tolerance, not division; celebration, not mourning.”
He added: “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.”
“I am incredibly proud, as Fifa President, to have contributed, even a little, to this show. It’s a great feeling.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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