FIFA President Gianni Infantino responded to critics of the 2026 World Cup via a 15-slide Instagram message. Infantino accused detractors of spreading hate
and planting seeds of hate
while claiming the tournament was an unprecedented success in terms of security and global unity.
Rather than holding a formal news conference after the tournament, Infantino took his defense to social media, telling those spending their energy hating the organization to meditate, pray or watch a football match
.
The Folarin Balogun Ban and Allegations of Political Interference
The most contentious flashpoint of the tournament involved U.S. forward Folarin Balogun. After being dismissed during a 2-0 round-of-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun received an automatic one-game ban. However, Balogun was made eligible to face Belgium after FIFA’s disciplinary committee suspended the sanction.
The timing of the reversal sparked immediate controversy. President Donald Trump later stated he had called Infantino to request a review of the case. While Infantino denied political interference, the move drew condemnation from UEFA, the Belgian football federation, and dozens of European Union lawmakers. UEFA described the decision as unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustifiable
, stating it had crossed a red line
.
The fallout continues to mount. The Norwegian Football Federation intends to file a formal complaint with FIFA over Trump’s role in the suspension, according to NFF president Lise Klaveness. This follows a previous ethical complaint regarding Infantino’s decision to award Trump the FIFA Peace Prize.
Visa Restrictions and the Human Cost in Mexico City
Travel bans imposed by the Trump administration hampered fans from four countries: Iran, Haiti, Senegal, and Ivory Coast. Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly questioned why African nations were unable to have their people present during the group stage.
The restrictions extended to officials; Somali referee Omar Artan was prohibited from entering the U.S. on the eve of the tournament due to allegations from a White House official regarding associations with suspected terror organizations. Iran’s national team captain, Mehdi Taremi, described the competition as a disaster
because of visa and movement restrictions.
The ‘Megalomania’ of the On-Screen Presence
Beyond the administrative scandals, Infantino’s personal visibility during the tournament became a point of ridicule. Former players Joe Cole and Gary Lineker noted a pattern where the FIFA president appeared on screen during nearly every match, often in the first and last ten minutes of each half.
“Every game, in the first half and the second half, they have to show Infantino’s head on the telly. Just like, you’re the head of the federation, just a megalomania about him: he needs to be front and centre.”
Joe Cole
The visibility was backed by an intense travel schedule. According to the BBC, Infantino took more than 27 flights during the competition, sometimes attending two matches a day in cities hundreds of miles apart. A FIFA representative defended the travel, stating the president strives to visit member associations of Fifa whenever he can
.
Financial Growth and the 64-Team Expansion
Despite the friction, the 48-team format—which replaced the 32-team system used from 1998 to 2022—has been a financial windfall. FIFA is projecting record revenues for the 2023-2026 cycle, with 2026 alone expected to generate $9 billion, surpassing the $7.6 billion total from the previous four-year cycle.
| Revenue Source (2026 Projections) | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|
| Broadcasting Rights | $3.9 billion |
| Hospitality Rights and Ticket Sales | More than $3 billion |
| Total Projected 2026 Revenue | $9 billion |
Infantino is already eyeing further growth. He told the Swiss site Bluewin that the possibility of a 64-team World Cup will be examined
and discussed by committees. He argued that expanding the tournament allows more nations to dream
and provides an incentive for smaller countries to improve.
