Infantino Defends 2026 World Cup Amid Criticism

Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, defended the 2026 FIFA World Cup in an open letter posted on Instagram, responding to criticisms about the event being marred by “hate and false rumours.” He asserted that the tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, brought joy to millions, despite issues related to officiating, travel, and discipline. Infantino highlighted the absence of violence and incidents, stating, “We had no violence, no incidents, absolute safety & security, only joy & happiness.” His comments followed FIFA's investigation into a pitch-side confrontation between players from Argentina and Spain during the World Cup final in New Jersey.

Infantino addressed concerns regarding travel restrictions faced by supporters and officials, including Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry into the United States despite having a valid visa. He maintained that controversial refereeing decisions are inherent to football and emphasized that the positives of the World Cup outweighed its negatives.