Under-fire Gianni Infantino refuses to back down in fiery message to World Cup critics

Gianni Infantino criticized his detractors for "spreading hate" and "false rumors" regarding the recent World Cup, claiming the tournament was an unparalleled success

• FIFA boss Gianni Infantino blasted his critics in a remarkable Instagram manifesto, accusing them of "spreading hate" and "false rumors" while insisting the World Cup was an overwhelming success despite mounting calls for his resignation.
• Infantino declared FIFA delivered the "greatest show on Earth," dismissing weeks of controversy and claiming the governing body was focused on staging a historic tournament while critics tried to undermine it.
• The FIFA president insisted the monthlong event saw "no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness," saying seven million fans packed stadiums and fan zones across 16 host cities.
• Infantino defended FIFA's handling of major flashpoints, saying the tournament helped unite the U.S. and Iran while standing by the decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's red-card suspension after President Donald Trump publicly called for the striker to be cleared.
• Ending on a defiant note, Infantino urged his critics to "find love and peace," arguing FIFA deserved applause—not attacks—for what he called the "most outstanding" World Cup in history.