La Liga President Criticizes FIFA Leadership Amid World Cup Controversies

Tebas Calls for Infantino's Resignation

Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, has openly criticized FIFA's Gianni Infantino, accusing him of 'destroying the football industry' and demanding his resignation following Spain's triumph in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The recent World Cup was marred by controversies, including the expansion to a 48-team format, the introduction of 'Hydration Breaks', and governance issues like the reversal of Folarin Balogun's red card. Additionally, there were concerns regarding ticket prices and tournament logistics.

Infantino Under Fire

Throughout the tournament, Infantino faced intense scrutiny due to his management of political lobbying issues, particularly involving US President Donald Trump's intervention in Balogun's red card suspension and proposals to increase the 2030 tournament to 64 teams.

Concerns Over Domestic Leagues

As Spain prepares to co-host the FIFA World Cup 2030 with Portugal and Morocco, Tebas has reiterated his opposition to FIFA's direction. He argues that increasing the number of teams to 64 would disrupt domestic league schedules and undermine the sport's foundation for short-term commercial benefits.

Tebas stated, 'Increasing the number of national teams makes no sense. The football industry is not just the World Cup, which is the most important event. National competitions are what sustain this sport.'

The Threat to Football's Ecosystem

Despite Spain's victory, Tebas warns that FIFA's decisions pose a significant threat to the global football ecosystem. He believes the recent World Cup was more of a political spectacle than a genuine sporting achievement, with FIFA's governance leading the sport toward a crisis.

Calls for Change in FIFA Leadership

Infantino is anticipated to secure a fourth consecutive term as FIFA president at the upcoming Congress in March, having received endorsements from over 200 member associations. However, Tebas insists that Infantino's time is up, claiming the governing body's system is 'sick at the source.'

He remarked, 'In my opinion, yes [he should resign]. He has had his day. There is no opposition candidate, and no one wants to present themselves to lose. This system is flawed.'

Growing Criticism of FIFA's Governance

Since taking office in 2016, Infantino's administration has faced increasing criticism, particularly following governance scandals during the 2026 World Cup. The political interference in Balogun's suspension and the push for expanded international tournaments at the expense of domestic leagues have intensified calls for reform.