2026 World Cup: Gianni Infantino responds to criticism and claims World Cup success

A week after the 2026 World Cup final, Gianni Infantino continues to vigorously defend the tournament's organization. In a lengthy Instagram post, the FIFA president gave a very positive assessment of the competition, while directly addressing the numerous criticisms that have surrounded the event.

The Italian-Swiss leader first addressed football fans, lamenting that the party was now over. He then targeted those who, in his view, preferred to fuel controversy rather than enjoy the unique atmosphere offered by the World Cup.

Without naming them directly, he targeted certain journalists and observers, whom he accuses of spreading false information and a climate of distrust towards FIFA.  

Gianni Infantino also defended the work done by his institution. According to him, organizing the World Cup demonstrated football's ability to bring people together, going so far as to claim that FIFA had helped nations with particularly strained diplomatic relations coexist. He specifically cited Iran's participation in the United States, stating that it had proceeded without major incident.

This version, however, is far from being universally accepted. Several media outlets have pointed out that the Iranian delegation encountered numerous administrative difficulties during the competition. Some members of the coaching staff reportedly had to wait several days to obtain their visas, while the players were forced to leave the United States quickly after their matches, a situation denounced by many observers.

Despite these criticisms, the FIFA president maintains that security was exemplary throughout the tournament. He asserts that all delegations and supporters operated in a safe environment and that the competition unfolded in a festive atmosphere.

These statements are, however, disputed by several sources. "The Athletic" notably points out that four people died of asphyxiation during celebrations in Mexico following the national team's victory against Ecuador, a tragedy that marred the tournament.

Heavily criticized in recent months for his close ties to Donald Trump and for several controversial FIFA decisions, particularly in the Folarin Balogun case, Gianni Infantino nevertheless refuses to see these controversies as a failure of the organization. He maintains that the decisions made by the relevant authorities are part of standard procedures and emphasizes that, despite a few highly publicized visa refusals, millions of fans from around the world were able to travel to attend the competition.

This particularly aggressive statement risks reigniting debates around FIFA's governance and the legacy left by a 2026 World Cup that continues to divide long after its final whistle.