FIFA president Gianni Infantino has hit back at critics of his leadership and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, urging them to “meditate, pray or watch a football match” instead of “spreading hate and false rumours.”

In a lengthy 15-slide statement posted on his personal Instagram account and later shared with FIFA’s more than eight million followers, Infantino defended the governing body’s stewardship of world football and described the recently concluded World Cup as a resounding success.

Addressing what he called “those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens,” Infantino said critics were “busy planting seeds of hate,” while FIFA remained focused on delivering “the greatest event on earth.”

The FIFA chief insisted the tournament “celebrated humanity at its best,” adding that the 2026 World Cup was marked by “100% safety and security, only joy and happiness.”

Infantino also dismissed concerns surrounding several controversies that overshadowed the tournament, including the participation of Iran amid its geopolitical tensions with co-host nation the United States.

He praised FIFA’s handling of the situation, saying the organization “worked tirelessly to unite two countries at war” and noted that the Iranian delegation entered the United States “without incident or conflict.”

However, his assessment contrasted sharply with comments made during the tournament by Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei, who claimed his team had been “the most oppressed” side at the World Cup.

Infantino’s remarks are expected to fuel further debate over FIFA’s governance and its handling of political and organizational issues surrounding football’s biggest tournament, as the governing body continues to defend the success of the expanded 2026 World Cup.