Sepp Blatter and Javier Tebas Criticize Gianni Infantino's FIFA Leadership

Sepp Blatter and Javier Tebas have publicly criticized FIFA president Gianni Infantino, questioning his leadership and calling for his resignation. With Infantino seeking a fourth term, the duo highlights concerns over FIFA's focus on the World Cup at the expense of domestic football. They argue that recent decisions threaten the integrity of the sport and call for a reevaluation of priorities within FIFA. As the World Cup concludes, Blatter and Tebas emphasize the need for new leadership to restore credibility to the game.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 22, 2026, 08:15 IST

Blatter and Tebas Demand Change in FIFA Leadership

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and La Liga's president Javier Tebas have launched a fierce critique against Gianni Infantino, the current FIFA president, questioning his leadership and urging him to step down. This criticism arises just months ahead of Infantino's anticipated bid for a fourth term in March. Tebas expressed concerns that FIFA has lost focus on the broader interests of football, while Blatter called on fans, players, and national associations to take back control of the sport under new leadership.

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tebas accused FIFA of prioritizing the World Cup over domestic leagues, criticizing Infantino's proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup from 48 to 64 teams. He stated, "Increasing the number of national teams makes no sense. The football industry is not solely about the World Cup; national competitions are vital for the sport's sustainability." Tebas emphasized that FIFA's decisions are jeopardizing the football industry, which supports countless jobs, for a brief event that involves only a select group of players. He advocated for fewer national teams and greater protection for domestic football.

While Tebas called for Infantino's resignation, he recognized that such a scenario seems unlikely due to the president's strong backing. "He has the support of the federations, and there is no viable opposition candidate willing to challenge him," he remarked, describing the system as fundamentally flawed.

Infantino, who has been at the helm of FIFA since 2016, is expected to run unopposed for a third consecutive term. However, Tebas pointed out that the controversy surrounding the lifting of Folarin Balogun's one-match ban could have had significant repercussions had the United States advanced further in the tournament. Balogun's suspension was revoked by FIFA's disciplinary committee following a call from US President Donald Trump, allowing him to participate against Belgium in the Round of 16. FIFA claimed that the committee acted independently based on established regulations.

Tebas remarked, "The lifting of the American player's ban was a serious issue. They were fortunate that Belgium eliminated the USA, as this could have led to a situation that might have cost Infantino his position. Since Belgium won, the matter was effectively buried, but this is just the beginning of deeper issues."

Concerns Over World Cup Credibility

Blatter also raised doubts about the integrity of the World Cup, despite acknowledging Spain's successful campaign. He stated on social media, "The longest World Cup has concluded with deserving champions, but the tournament lost its credibility along the way. Politics should not overshadow the sport." Tebas further criticized FIFA for extended half-time breaks and hydration pauses, suggesting these were motivated by commercial interests rather than player welfare. He stated, "FIFA organizes events to serve its own interests, not those of football. If they require a 27-minute half-time, they will have it. Hydration breaks are a facade; we have them in La Liga only when necessary. The stadiums in Dallas, Los Angeles, and Atlanta had air conditioning; I even needed a jumper in the stands. It was all a ruse for advertising."