Infantino tells Fifa critics to 'meditate, pray or watch football'
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has dismissed criticism of his leadership and the 2026 World Cup organization. He urged detractors to focus on the event's success rather than spreading rumors.
Why it matters
Infantino's comments highlight the ongoing tension between FIFA leadership and critics regarding human rights, logistics, and political controversies surrounding the World Cup.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Gianni Infantino has been Fifa president since 2016
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has told critics to "meditate, pray or watch a football match" instead of "spreading hate and false rumours" about his leadership, the governing body and the World Cup.
In a 15-slide post on his personal Instagram account - reposted to Fifa's eight million followers - Infantino addressed "those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens" to affirm his belief that, while they were "busy planting seeds of hate", Fifa was delivering the "greatest event on earth".
He said the World Cup "celebrated humanity at its best", adding that the 2026 tournament had "100% safety and security, only joy and happiness".
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