Marcelo Flores is out of the World Cup due to injury in the Concachampions final

The president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, responded harshly to the criticism that the 2026 World Cup, organized in the United States, Mexico and Canada, has received. In an official statement, he accused the media of being “consumed by hate and criticism” and of having “missed our beautiful sport.”

“While you stand on the sidelines, we at FIFA are on the front line organizing, working hard and putting on the most beautiful spectacle in the world. While you divide, we unite,” wrote Infantino.

The case of Iran as an example of unity

Infantino gave as an example the participation of the Iranian team, which due to the political context had to travel from Mexico to the United States for each match and return to the neighboring country after each match. The FIFA president highlighted that Iran entered US territory “without incident or conflict” and that the chants against it were transformed into a single anthem during their matches.

“This is the power of football; the Iranian team was granted visas to enter because football is synonymous with peace,” said Infantino.

He also criticized the media for focusing on the few cases of denied visas, ignoring the millions of fans who were able to enter. He recalled that the tournament brought Haiti to the world stage, a country that many do not visit. “Maybe it’s time to put aside the pens and keyboards and show some respect to the teams that played with their hearts,” he said.

Infantino concluded by stating that this World Cup – the first with 48 teams – celebrated the best of humanity. “At FIFA we could not be prouder or more moved to experience these moments of love, joy and unity,” he said.

Lando Norris, current Formula 1 champion, celebrated his first victory of the 2026 season this Sunday by winning the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Briton, who started from pole, surpassed the Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and the Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), who continues to lead the championship.

Norris, from McLaren, returned to the top step of the podium after 259 days without victories. With this result he has 128 points and rises to fifth place in the general classification, ten points behind Monegasque Charles Leclerc, who finished fourth.

Dominant rhythm

“My pace today was one of the best I’ve ever had. This track is ideal for us, and it’s one of the best for me all year. But if we want to get back to the top, we need many more weekends like this. Perfect,” said Norris after achieving his twelfth victory in F1, the second in Hungary.

His teammate Oscar Piastri did not suffer the same fate: the Australian abandoned on lap 56 due to a gearbox problem when he was running second. Piastri remains seventh overall with 92 points.

Penalty to Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton, seven-time world champion, finished fifth but received a five-second penalty for exceeding the speed limit by 0.1 km/h in the pitlane during a virtual safety car. That penalty allowed Leclerc to gain a position. Hamilton, second in the championship with 169 points, was disappointed after the eleventh race of the year.

Antonelli advantage

Hamilton’s fifth place favored Antonelli, who widened his lead in the Drivers’ World Championship. The young Italian has 219 points, while his teammate George Russell completes the podium with 160 points after finishing seventh at the Hungaroring. The next race will be after the break for the summer.

Isaac del Toro’s performance in the Tour de France did not go unnoticed in Mexico. Minutes after the Baja California cyclist took the podium in Paris, president Claudia Sheinbaum joined in the congratulations and recognized the impact of his performance.

Presidential recognition

The rider from Ensenada completed the 21 stages of the most prestigious competition in world cycling, reached third place in the general classification and established himself as one of the great revelations of the season. In addition, he took the title of best young cyclist of the Tour.

The president highlighted the effort and discipline of the athlete:

“Many congratulations to young Isaac del Toro for his historic third place in the Tour de France. With this great achievement he becomes the first Mexican to get on the podium of this prestigious competition and the most outstanding young man in cycling today.”

Sheinbaum, who has congratulated the runner on previous occasions, stressed national pride in his demonstration.

“Mexico is very proud of your effort, dedication and of this great moment that inspires an entire country. Congratulations, Isaac! May the successes continue,” he concluded.

Del Toro’s achievement marks a milestone for Mexican sport and positions him as an emerging figure in international cycling.