Gianni Infantino is done reading the hate. Or so he says.
The FIFA president went on a lengthy, unapologetic tirade this week aimed at everyone who spent the 2026 World Cup doing anything other than enjoying soccer. That includes journalists, critics, and basically anyone who brought up ticket prices, betting scandals, or the fact that Donald Trump got involved in a red card decision.
The tournament was a massive success by the numbers. Spain beat Argentina in the final, pulling in nearly 40 million viewers. Total attendance hit 6,810,966, a new record. But Infantino clearly doesn’t think that’s enough to shut people up.
Infantino’s message to critics: you missed the point
In a statement obtained by ESPN, Infantino went after the naysayers directly. He said he felt sorry for people who were so wrapped up in negativity they couldn’t see the joy happening on the field.
“To all of you who missed watching kids, babies, grandparents, and parents come together for the beautiful game, I say sorry that the matches are now over and sorry that you missed all that joy and togetherness,” Infantino wrote. “Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all.”
Then he pivoted to the media. “To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumours, I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organising, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world.”
He also claimed the tournament saw “no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness.” That’s a bold statement for a month-long event that had its share of political tension, but Infantino wasn’t backing down.
Trump, Balogun, and the double standard play
One of the bigger stories of the tournament was Trump personally weighing in on Folarin Balogun’s controversial red card. Infantino didn’t shy away from it either. He pointed out that other international leagues use similar disciplinary systems and suggested the criticism was hypocritical.
“It’s curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticising,” he added.
He closed his statement on a hopeful note. “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. May football rise above all hate.”
Infantino is up for re-election in 2027. It’s a safe bet he remembers that date.
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