One week after the World Cup final, FIFA President Gianni Infantino launched a scathing attack on critics he accuses of spreading hate and false rumors about the tournament, praising the event's organizational success and the unity it brought to the sport.
In a 900-word statement published across a 15-page Instagram post and on FIFA's website, Infantino wrote: "Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all." He addressed his comments to "those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumors," claiming they overlooked packed stadiums and millions of approved fans while fixating on isolated problems.
FIFA faced criticism throughout the World Cup for issues including restrictions on Iran team officials, the appointment of a Somali referee, and fans being denied entry to the United States. There were also allegations of political influence by then-U.S. President Donald Trump in the case of forward Folarin Balogun, who avoided a red-card ban, alongside complaints about unprecedented high ticket prices and commercialized breaks in play during all 104 matches.
