FIFA President Gianni Infantino has hit back strongly at critics, telling detractors to “meditate, pray or watch a football match” instead of spreading negativity.
The FIFA boss addressed harsh media coverage regarding tournament organisation across an extensive fifteen-slide Instagram statement.
Infantino maintained that the recent World Cup featured total safety and pure joy for attending supporters. Furthermore, he highlighted Iran’s participation despite geopolitical tensions with the United States as a victory for global diplomacy.
He said Fifa “worked tirelessly to unite two countries at war”, with Iran entering the country “without incident or conflict”.
However, Iranian head coach Amir Ghalenoei described his squad as the “most oppressed” team at the tournament. His players endured severe visa delays, revoked fan tickets, and last-minute training site relocations to Mexico.
Infantino wrote: “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.”
Controversies and officiating rulings shadow landmark World Cup tournament
Despite Infantino boasting about flawless execution, governing authorities face multiple investigations regarding post-match physical altercations and fan misconduct.
Additionally, controversial immigration enforcement presence at stadiums generated sharp public outrage during tournament matches.
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Simultaneously, European soccer officials voiced fury over FIFA suspending Folarin Balogun’s red card ban following US political pressure. Infantino defended the decision by insisting similar actions occur routinely across elite domestic football leagues.
“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… sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all,” Infantino wrote.
“While they celebrated, you were busy planting seeds of hate. Our world needs love, not hate; tolerance, not division; celebration, not mourning.
“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.
“I am incredibly proud, as Fifa President, to have contributed, even a little, to this show. It’s a great feeling.”
