Javier Tebas, the president of Spain’s top professional soccer league, La Liga, didn’t hold back. He directly called for FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s resignation, unleashing a storm of criticism about the future of the global game. Tebas dropped this bombshell in an interview published Tuesday by Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport, making it clear he thinks Infantino has “had his day.”
A 64-Team World Cup? Tebas Says It’s ‘Destroying Football’
The core of Tebas’s frustration boils down to FIFA’s expansion plans for the World Cup. This year’s tournament was the first with 48 teams, the most in history, a jump from the 32-team format of the previous seven editions. But now, FIFA is discussing an even bigger field. Alejandro Dominguez, the president of Conmebol, confirmed Monday that the 2030 tournament will feature 64 teams, with special centenary matches set for Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, while Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will be the primary hosts. Tebas believes Infantino and FIFA are “destroying the football industry” with this expansion, which happens every four years. He’s demanding “fewer national teams and more protection for national football, at all levels,” stating that FIFA officials “don’t realize” and “decide irresponsibly.” The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, already faced complaints about visa issues, ticket pricing, and hydration breaks. Tebas specifically called those hydration breaks “a lie” and a “break for advertising.” He even slammed the overturning of United States striker Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension after a discussion between U.S. President Donald Trump and Infantino.
Infantino’s System: ‘Sick At The Source’
Tebas pulls no punches when talking about how Infantino stays in power. He argues Infantino has “the support of the system, of the federations,” adding that “there is no opposition candidate, no one wants to present themselves to lose.” For Tebas, this isn’t just about one person, it’s about a “system that is sick at the source.” He claims to have heard plenty of people in America speak out against Infantino, criticizing his actions, but then they “do nothing.” Tebas questions if “silence or complicity is worse,” because those who stay silent are “perfectly aware of the damage that football is suffering.” Infantino, who took over FIFA in 2016, isn’t backing down. He called the 2026 World Cup an “incredible success” and even hinted at the possibility of 64 teams for 2030, saying, “We’ll have to discuss that, to analyze that.”
Infantino announced in April that he will run again in the next FIFA presidential election, scheduled for March 18. He addressed his critics, boldly declaring that “nothing can touch the power and the magic of the World Cup.” With Tebas’s direct challenge out in the open, the coming months are sure to be a battle for the soul of international football.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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