LaLiga President Javier Tebas has once again launched a sharp criticism of FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This time, Tebas called on Infantino to step down while condemning FIFA’s proposal to expand the FIFA World Cup to 64 teams beginning with the 2030 edition.
According to Tebas, the proposed expansion would only damage the global football ecosystem by sacrificing domestic competitions for the sake of a short tournament.
The 63-year-old made the remarks in an interview with Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, just days after the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A 64-Team World Cup “Makes No Sense”
Tebas argued that increasing the number of participating nations from 48 to 64 has no reasonable justification.
“Expanding the number of national teams makes no sense,” Tebas said, as quoted by ESPN.
He stressed that the football industry does not revolve solely around the World Cup.
“The football industry is not just the World Cup, even though it is the most important tournament. Not everything should revolve around the World Cup.”
According to Tebas, domestic league competitions are the foundation that sustains professional football in countries around the world.
“They are destroying a football industry that creates tens of thousands of jobs for the sake of a tournament that lasts about 40 days and involves only a small percentage of players,” he said.
Tebas also urged FIFA to focus more on protecting national competitions rather than continually expanding the scale of the World Cup.
Calls for Infantino to Leave FIFA
In addition to criticizing FIFA’s policies, Tebas openly stated that Gianni Infantino should end his tenure as FIFA president.
“In my opinion, yes, he should step down. I think his time is over,” Tebas said.
However, he acknowledged that the chances of change remain slim, as Infantino continues to enjoy the support of a majority of FIFA’s member associations and is widely expected to secure a fourth term at the FIFA Congress next March.
Tebas also expressed disappointment over what he described as the lack of courage within the football community to challenge FIFA’s decisions.
“I hear many people criticizing Infantino, but afterward they do nothing.”
Raises Concerns Over 2026 World Cup Controversies
During the interview, Tebas also commented on several controversies surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
One issue he highlighted was FIFA’s decision to overturn the suspension imposed on United States forward Folarin Balogun, which he said illustrated how FIFA makes decisions based on its own interests.
He also criticized the 27-minute match interruptions and the use of hydration breaks, arguing that they were unnecessary.
“The hydration breaks are a sham. The stadiums in Dallas, Los Angeles, and Atlanta have air conditioning. I even had to wear a sweater in the stands. Those breaks are nothing more than commercial breaks,” Tebas said.
The proposed 2030 FIFA World Cup, featuring 64 teams, is scheduled to be hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, while the opening three matches will be staged in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to commemorate the tournament’s 100th anniversary.***
