One week after the conclusion of the 2026 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup in North America, FIFA President Gianni Infantino dismissed various controversies surrounding the tournament as conspiracy theories.
On Monday, Infantino took to social media to express his thoughts. He lamented that many people were so consumed by hate and criticism that they missed the unifying power of soccer and the joy and harmony that followed each match. Infantino reflected on the tournament, which he claimed brought happiness to over 200 nations, despite critics’ attempts to sow discord.
It witnessed smaller nations competing proudly on the world’s biggest stage, Infantino stated. They brought pride to their countries and, most importantly, hope. He urged those who spent time and energy on negativity to reflect and truly observe the emotions of fans during matches. He hopes soccer can transcend all hatred, he added.
This World Cup, featuring a record 48 participating countries, was a massive success, drawing a total of 6.81 million spectators.
However, the tournament was plagued by controversies even before kickoff.
Global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo received a red card for elbowing an opponent during European World Cup qualifiers last November. The serious foul should have resulted in a three-match suspension, sidelining him for the first two group stage games. However, FIFA made the unprecedented decision to defer Ronaldo’s penalty for a year, allowing him to play without issue.
Another contentious decision involved U.S. team member Folarin Balogun, who was sent off in the round of 32. By rule, Balogun should have been ineligible for the round of 16 match. However, after a call from President Donald Trump to Infantino, Balogun was cleared to play against Belgium in the knockout stage.
Refereeing decisions also came under fire. Egypt, after a 3-2 loss to Argentina in the round of 16, accused officials of favoring Lionel Messi’s team.
Infantino defended these incidents, stating that controversial calls and selective enforcement of player suspensions are common and widely accepted in major leagues worldwide.
Visa issues also marred the tournament. The U.S. government initially issued only one-night visas to the Iranian national team, sparking criticism over fairness. While restrictions were later eased, concerns about political interference in the event persisted.
Infantino downplayed these concerns, noting that Iran entered the U.S. without incident. He added that while millions worldwide receive U.S. visas, critics focus only on the few denials.
