La Liga President Javier Tebas Calls For FIFA Boss Gianni Infantino To Resign

In a recent interview with the Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tebas stated that Infantino’s time as head of FIFA is "over." The criticism follows the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup and comes amid discussions regarding proposals to expand the 2030 tournament from 48 to 64 teams.

Concerns Over World Cup Expansion

Tebas, who oversees Spain’s top football league, argued that the focus on expanding international tournaments undermines the stability of domestic football. "The football industry is not just the World Cup, however important it may be," Tebas said, as reported by Al Jazeera.

He emphasized that domestic leagues generate tens of thousands of jobs and are the primary entities that keep the sport alive. Regarding the prospect of a 64-team World Cup for the 2030 centenary—which is set to be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina—Tebas remarked that increasing the number of national teams "makes no sense." He added that the industry is being damaged for an event that lasts 40 days and involves only a minority of players.

Governance and Systemic Criticism

Tebas described FIFA’s current leadership structure as "fundamentally flawed" and "sick at the source." While he expressed his belief that Infantino should step down, he acknowledged the difficulty of removing him, noting that the president maintains the support of the federations and the current system.

"There is no opposition candidate, no one wants to present themselves to lose," Tebas told The New Daily. He further criticized those within the soccer community who oppose Infantino privately but remain silent, stating that he does not know if the silence or the complicity is worse.

Infantino, who has led FIFA for a decade, announced in April that he would seek a fourth term. The election for the 2027–2031 period is scheduled for March 18 in Morocco.

Allegations of Mismanagement

Beyond expansion, Tebas leveled specific accusations regarding how FIFA conducts its matches and disciplinary processes. He labeled the hydration breaks used during the 2026 World Cup as a "lie," claiming they were used for advertising rather than player welfare. He noted that stadiums in Dallas, Los Angeles, and Atlanta were air-conditioned, rendering the breaks unnecessary for heat management.

Tebas also criticized the 27-minute half-time interval observed during the World Cup final, where Spain defeated Argentina 1-0. Furthermore, he cited the "Folarin Balogun affair"—in which a suspension for the US striker was lifted following a phone call from US President Donald Trump—as an example of FIFA prioritizing its own interests over the integrity of the sport.

Calls for Structural Reform

The criticism from La Liga comes as other groups also push for changes within the governing body. The Football Supporters Europe (FSE) group has officially called for "structural governance reforms" to return decision-making power to the FIFA Council and Congress. In a statement titled "A World Cup that failed supporters," the FSE demanded full consultation with clubs, leagues, players, and fans.