Infantino defends 2026 World Cup amid criticism, urges detractors to reflect or watch football
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the 2026 World Cup, calling it "the most exceptional of World Cups" despite criticism. He urged those who "devote their time and energy to hating us" to "meditate, pray, or simply watch a football match." Infantino addressed various criticisms, including visa refusals for some supporters and the controversial lifting of Folarin Balogun's suspension after a call from Donald Trump. He highlighted that millions of other fans received visas and praised FIFA's role in uniting "two countries at war," citing Iran's entry into the United States without incident. Infantino also responded to critics of the expansion from 32 to 48 teams, using Haiti as an example of a country brought into the spotlight by football. He concluded by asking detractors to observe the emotions of fans to understand the event's positive impact.
