Gianni INFANTINO president of FIFA after the 2026 FIFA World Cup - Final match between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport)
FIFA chief hails Argentina’s World Cup run despite criticism
Gianni Infantino sent a congratulatory letter to the Argentine Football Association, praising their World Cup campaign in the United States.
Argentina’s World Cup campaign in the United States was not without its detractors. The Albiceleste faced intense scrutiny for their aggressive playing style and allegations of favoritism from rival teams and fans. Even the Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan questioned the fairness of Argentina’s path after their round-of-16 victory over Egypt (3-2), suggesting the team had received special treatment.
Just days after Argentina’s heartbreaking 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the final, FIFA President Gianni Infantino took time to send a congratulatory letter to Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia. The letter, made public by the AFA, praised the team’s remarkable journey in the tournament.
Infantino’s message read: “I want to reiterate my sincerest congratulations for this significant achievement in Argentine football.” He added, “The World Cup (2026) will be remembered as an unforgettable celebration of the sport (…) The Albiceleste’s magnificent performance has decisively contributed to making this edition an exceptional event that has captivated millions of football fans worldwide.”
Infantino envisions “bright future” for Argentina
The FIFA chief concluded by sending a special message to the entire Argentine delegation: “Please extend my warmest congratulations to everyone who contributed to this outstanding result: the players, head coach Lionel Scaloni, the technical and medical staff, and of course, the passionate fans who supported the team throughout the competition. Such victories are always the product of hard work, professionalism, meticulous attention to detail, and above all, passion, commitment, and love for this beautiful game. This bodes well for a bright future and will undoubtedly pave the way for further great successes in Argentine football.”
While Infantino showered praise on Argentina, it remains unclear whether similar letters were sent to the Football Associations of other finalists like Spain, England, or France. None of these organizations have yet made any such correspondence public.
