FIFA president Gianni Infantino has come under renewed scrutiny after a leaked letter revealed he congratulated Argentina on their “professionalism” following their controversial defeat in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
The message, addressed to Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia, surfaced in Argentina before being verified by the Daily Mail. It has reignited accusations of preferential treatment towards the reigning world champions after a tournament filled with controversy.
Argentina endured a disappointing final against Spain, failing to register a single shot on target during normal time before losing midfielder Enzo Fernández to a red card.
Tempers then boiled over after the final whistle as players from both sides became involved in an on-field brawl, an incident that remains under investigation by FIFA.
Despite those events, Infantino praised Argentina’s contribution to the tournament and expressed admiration for the team’s achievements.
“I would like to reiterate my most sincere congratulations for this important new result for Argentine soccer,” Infantino wrote.
He added that the 2026 World Cup would be remembered as “an unforgettable celebration of football” and credited Argentina’s “magnificent performance” with helping make the tournament an exceptional spectacle.
Infantino also praised the players, head coach Lionel Scaloni, the coaching staff and Argentina’s supporters, insisting their success was built on “constant work, professionalism and attention to detail” alongside passion and commitment to the sport.
The timing and content of the letter have sparked criticism across the football world, particularly given Argentina’s conduct throughout the tournament.
Questions over FIFA’s relationship with Argentina had already intensified after repeated allegations of favouritism towards Lionel Messi’s side, claims that FIFA’s head of refereeing, Pierluigi Collina, strongly rejected during the competition.
Argentina’s behaviour attracted attention on several occasions. Fernández was sent off in the final after picking up two yellow cards, with his first booking coming for dissent towards the referee. Messi also appeared to urge officials to punish Spain defender Marc Cucurella over an alleged breach of new competition rules.
Before the final, Argentina also faced criticism for displaying a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” following their semi-final victory over England. The political message referenced the disputed Falkland Islands and appeared to contradict FIFA’s long-standing ban on political statements during official matches.
The leaked correspondence is unlikely to quiet concerns over FIFA’s handling of Argentina throughout the tournament. Instead, it has added another layer to an already controversial World Cup, with many questioning why such glowing praise was issued despite the team’s disappointing display and disciplinary issues.
With FIFA’s investigation into the post-match brawl still ongoing, the governing body now faces further pressure to demonstrate impartiality as scrutiny over Infantino’s leadership continues to grow.