In an open letter published on Instagram<\/a> on Monday, Infantino, 56, said detractors had overlooked the joy and togetherness experienced by millions of fans around the world who witnessed the tournament, won by Spain<\/a> and staged across \u2060the United States, Canada and Mexico.<\/p>\n Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list<\/p>\n \u201cYou were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cTo 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 \u200cthe world.<\/p>\n \u201cWe experienced no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness!\u201d<\/p>\n Infantino\u2019s comments came less than a week after FIFA said it was investigating an on-pitch altercation<\/a> between Argentina and Spain players at the end of their World Cup final in New Jersey.<\/p>\n FIFA faced criticism over a series of issues during the tournament, including debate over US visa restrictions<\/a> affecting supporters and officials from several countries and concerns involving teams from conflict-hit regions, such as Iran<\/a>.<\/p>\n Iran, who were knocked out in the group stage, had a turbulent experience<\/a>, forced to move their training camp base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico due to the war in the Middle East. They also faced logistical issues travelling back and forth to the United States for their three \u2060group matches.<\/p>\n Infantino\u2019s letter also followed scrutiny of FIFA\u2019s handling of the Folarin Balogun\u2019s disciplinary case<\/a>, a decision to suspend the automatic one-match ban imposed on the US striker after his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, following the intervention of US President Donald Trump<\/a>.<\/p>\n Officiating decisions in Argentina\u2019s match against Egypt<\/a> \u2060also generated widespread debate among fans and pundits.<\/p>\n Though Infantino did not refer to specific \u2060cases, he argued that many of the refereeing and disciplinary decisions criticised during the tournament were commonplace in various competitions worldwide.<\/p>\n \u201cPotentially mistaken red or yellow cards or subsequent decisions not to ban players in certain situations are routine and widely accepted in some of the biggest \u2060leagues worldwide,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticising.\u201d<\/p>\n Infantino pointed to the participation of countries facing political tensions, domestic crisis and \u2060domestic health challenges as evidence of football\u2019s ability to transcend divisions.<\/p>\n While Iran\u2019s \u2060participation came against the backdrop of conflict with the US<\/a>, issues surrounding Haiti\u2019s domestic crisis and the Ebola outbreak<\/a> in the Democratic Republic of the Congo also drew attention to visa and travel restrictions.<\/p>\n Somali World Cup referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was barred from entering<\/a> the US despite having a \u200cvalid visa.<\/p>\n \u201cYou mentioned the few people denied visas and overlooked the millions who were approved, from all parts of the world. Because football unites the world, and it was impressively demonstrated this summer,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIran entered the United States without incident or conflict. The Iranian team received visas to enter because football is about peace. It\u2019s not about politics.\u201d<\/p>\n Infantino\u2019s comments were in stark contrast to Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei\u2019s remarks, which described Team Melli as the \u201cmost oppressed\u201d<\/a> team at the World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cCountries facing serious health issues or other challenges were granted visas,\u201d Infantino added.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen \u200cfootball \u200cbrought Haiti to the world, a country that many cannot or choose not to visit, it might be time to set aside your pens and keyboards and show some respect to the teams that played.\u201d<\/p>\n Earlier this month, human rights group FairSquare lodged a complaint to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) against Infantino, alleging that he \u201crepeatedly breached the IOC\u2019s rules on political neutrality by offering his political support for US President Donald Trump\u201d.<\/p>\n![\"EAST](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AFP__20260719__2286810682__v1__HighRes__SpainVArgentinaFinalFifaWorldCup2026-1784590476.jpg\")
Spain players celebrate winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup [Dan Mullan\/Getty Images\/AFP]<\/p>\n![\"Infantino,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AFP__20260719__C2LH4FV__v2__HighRes__FblWc2026Match104EspArgFinal-1785143760.jpg\")
Infantino, left, with US President Donald Trump at the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at the New York\/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, US, on July 19, 2026 [Odd Andersen\/AFP]Visa controversies<\/p>\n