FIFA president Gianni Infantino rejected scrutiny of his leadership and the organization, accusing critics of “spreading hate and false rumors” while they were “delivering the best show in the world,” minimizing or altogether ignoring issues that arose with the 2026 World Cup.

His message was delivered across 15 slides on his personal Instagram account, cross-posted to the FIFA Instagram account and distributed to media personnel by FIFA’s communications team.

Infantino’s message said, “We experienced no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness!”

The comments came on Monday, a day after U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) accused Infantino of “outright bribery” in his relationship with Donald Trump and the president’s administration and businesses.

There were multiple issues with some teams and fans gaining access to the tournament. Four countries — Iran, Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast — played their matches despite many supporters being unable to enter the United States because of travel restrictions imposed by the Trump administration.

Iran’s team captain Mehdi Taremi called the World Cup a “disaster” due to the restrictions on visas and movement for members of its federation.

Infantino’s message also ignored the four people who died of suffocation during celebrations in Mexico City after Mexico’s round-of-32 victory over Ecuador, per The Athletic.

The message from Infantino, who has not held a press conference since before the World Cup began, also made a dismissive apparent reference to the significant controversy when U.S. forward Folarin Balogun had an automatic one-game ban reversed. FIFA’s disciplinary committee suspended the sanction with no explanation, and Trump later said he called Infantino to have the case reviewed, which Infantino denied.

“Your dissatisfaction with a few decisions made by the competent authorities is understandable, but please refer to public records: such decisions are common in some of the most important leagues,” Infantino posted. “Indeed, ‘arguable’ referees’ decisions or ‘strange’ disciplinary rulings such as for instance potentially mistaken red or yellow cards or subsequent decisions not to ban players in certain situations are routine and widely accepted in some of the biggest leagues worldwide.”

Among other issues faced before, during and since the 2026 World Cup, the Attorneys General of New York, New Jersey, Texas and California are investigating FIFA over its ticketing prices for the tournament.

Raskin is seeking an appearance from Infantino in front of the House Judiciary Committee, though he does not have subpoena power as the Democrats are the minority power in the House.

Raskin requested that Infantino reveal to Congress “a list of anything of value (including transfer of money, gifts, prizes, awards, or public appearances) given to President Trump, members of his Administration, or their family members, or any entity associated with them, such as The Trump Organization.”

Trump and Infantino maintained a close relationship throughout the leadup to the tournament, with the soccer organization giving Trump the first FIFA Peace Prize last year. Raskin called that award “hilariously fake.”

Raskin also wrote to Infantino, “You leased an office space on the 17th floor of Trump Tower — a space that might retail for $600,000 a year — even though it would only be used during the 39-day period of the World Cup. That comes to more than $15,000 a day. These actions appear designed to induce President Trump and his Administration to make decisions in FIFA’s favor. …

“The most recent quid pro quo that FIFA and President Trump orchestrated is not a victimless crime. It hurts Americans. FIFA has taken its newfound favored status in the Trump Administration as a sign that it may rip off its consumers, most notably, by employing illegal price gouging and fraudulent sales tactics for the World Cup.”

White House spokesman Davis Ingle responded to Raskin’s letter in a statement published by The Athletic: “Lightweight Jamie Raskin (is) a stupid person’s idea of a smart person. No other president in history could have pulled off the historic feat that President Trump delivered for the American people and the world.

“Thanks to his bold vision and decisive leadership, the 2026 FIFA World Cup generated billions of dollars in revenue, created a massive economic boost across host cities, and delivered a safe, secure, and seamless experience for millions of fans and athletes from around the globe. It will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest and most successful sporting events in history.”

–Field Level Media

After a slow start out of the All-Star break, the Tampa Bay Rays regrouped to have an outstanding week and will look to start another one Tuesday night when they host the Texas Rangers in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Following a four-game sweep by the Boston Red Sox right after the break, the Rays won six of seven, taking three of four in Toronto before shutting down the Cleveland Guardians in a three-game weekend sweep to start a nine-game homestand.

However, the American League East leaders are the top team in the Junior Circuit for a reason, mainly relying on excellent starting pitching with a punchy top of the order, featuring standout hitter Yandy Diaz leading off and slugger Junior Caminero two batters later.

Pitching loomed large against the Guardians as starters Shane McClanahan, Nick Martinez and Drew Rasmussen completely dominated the visitors.

Over 18 innings, the trio allowed just one run (an ERA of 0.50), seven hits and three walks, totaling 17 strikeouts as the Rays outscored Cleveland 15-3, including shutouts in the final two games.

“Just a well-executed, masterful performance,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said of Rasmussen’s seven scoreless innings of one-hit ball in Sunday’s 1-0 win. “We’re definitely built around our pitching, no doubt. Most of the year, (our starters) have been spot on, quality outing after quality outing, 1 through 5, probably highlighted by Ras and Nick.”

Rays starter Griffin Jax (6-7, 3.89 ERA) has won five of his past seven starts, and holds a 5-5 record and a 3.38 ERA with an opposing batting average of .236 since moving from the bullpen to the rotation.

Like the Rays, manager Skip Schumaker and his Rangers enter the matchup in first place in their division, leading the AL West over the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners, though they will travel to Houston after facing Tampa Bay.

Texas homered its way to victory Monday afternoon to claim the series over Seattle, going deep four times in the first three innings off nemesis George Kirby in a 7-3 bashing.

Leadoff hitter Joc Pederson homered in his first two at-bats off the right-hander. The lefty-swinging Pederson went 2-for-4 with four RBIs and pushed his long-ball total to 19.

“It just shows the mentality we’ve had lately,” Pederson said of beating Kirby, who entered the contest 9-1 with a 1.33 ERA in 12 career starts versus Texas. “We were able to get (to) a really good pitcher. That’s one of the best pitching staffs in baseball.”

Texas did not announce Tuesday’s starter, but its radio network said the options are Jordan Montgomery, who had Tommy John surgery in March 2025, or Nathan Eovaldi on four days’ rest.

Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (back) has taken two live batting practice sessions and looked sharp. The team is expected to announce a rehab assignment for him soon.

Seager hit the 15-day injured list on July 1 and has only appeared in 51 games.

“I would love to tell you ‘Yes,'” Seager said when asked if he understood his back injury, which started with lower back inflammation. “Well, as you know, backs are not … what you want. Honestly, just getting back is kind of the priority.”

He is batting just .182 with 10 homers and 25 RBIs this season.

–Field Level Media

Coby Mayo homered and drove in three runs as the visiting Baltimore Orioles powered past the Detroit Tigers, 8-5, on Monday.

Leody Tavares and pinch-hitter Tyler O’Neill also homered, while Jackson Holliday supplied four hits and scored twice. Pete Alonso added two hits and scored a run.

Orioles starter Kyle Bradish gave up five runs and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings. Grant Wolfram (3-2) pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief and was credited with the victory. Rico Garcia got the last three outs for his fifth save.

Hao-Yu Lee drove in two runs for the Tigers, who have lost three straight. Spencer Torkelson and Zach McKinstry each had two hits, a run scored and an RBI.

Detroit starter Keider Montero (7-6) allowed six runs, four earned, and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Baltimore scored a run in the first on Taylor Ward’s fielder’s choice, which knocked in Alonso.

The Orioles extended their lead to 3-0 in the second. Holliday doubled and Mayo reached on a Colt Keith error before Jeremiah Jackson’s RBI grounder. Dylan Beavers drove in the next run with a single.

McKinstry led off the bottom of the inning with a triple and scored on Lee’s sacrifice fly to make it 3-1.

Mayo drove in the Orioles’ fourth run in the third with a single.

Detroit pulled within 4-3 in the fourth after loading the bases without an out. Lee knocked in a run with an infield single and Matt Vierling drove in the next run with a one-out sacrifice fly.

Tavares blasted his homer with one out in the fifth. After a Holliday single, Montero was replaced by Brenan Hanifee. Mayo greeted him with a 390-foot shot over the left-center field wall for a 7-3 Orioles lead.

The Tigers cut their deficit in half during the bottom of the frame. Torkelson had a sacrifice fly and McKinstry followed with an RBI single.

O’Neill homered to lead off the sixth against Tyler Horton, driving the ball 400 feet over the left-center field wall.

–Field Level Media