Infantino tells FIFA critics to 'meditate, pray or watch football'
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino told critics to 'meditate, pray or watch a football match' instead of spreading hate, in a 15-slide Instagram post. He hailed the 2026 World Cup as the 'greatest event on earth' with 100% safety and zero violence. The comments come even as Iran's coach described his team as the 'most oppressed' at the tournament and FIFA confirmed investigations into post-final altercations.
Infantino's Defense
In a 15-slide Instagram post shared with FIFA's 8 million followers, Infantino addressed critics 'behind their pens and papers, behind their screens,' accusing them of planting 'seeds of hate.' He asserted that the 2026 tournament 'celebrated humanity at its best' and achieved '100% safety and security, only joy and happiness.' Infantino specifically highlighted Iran's participation as a success, claiming FIFA 'worked tirelessly to unite two countries at war' and that Iran entered the United States 'without incident or conflict.'
Contested Realities
Iran's head coach Amir Ghalenoei countered that his team was the 'most oppressed' at the World Cup, citing visa delays, denial of entry for backroom staff, revoked fan tickets, and a forced training move from Arizona to Tijuana. Travel bans imposed by the Trump administration also affected fans from Haiti, Senegal, and Ivory Coast, while Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry despite holding a diplomatic passport and visa. Infantino dismissed visa concerns, stating 'millions were approved.' Meanwhile, FIFA is investigating altercations between Argentina and Spain players after the final, racist abuse allegations toward influencer IShowSpeed, and arrests at multiple matches, including England's semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta, where ICE officials were also present.
What's Next
FIFA is expected to release findings from its investigations into the post-match incidents and abuse allegations in the coming weeks. It remains unclear whether Infantino’s public dismissal of criticism will strain FIFA's relations with member associations or influence hosting decisions for future tournaments.
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Infantino tells FIFA critics to 'meditate, pray or watch football'
