La Liga president, Javier Tebas, has called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to step down, accusing the world football governing body of damaging the sport through its decisions.
Speaking to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tebas criticised several FIFA policies, including mandatory hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup, the extended half-time show during the final, the suspension controversy involving United States forward Folarin Balogun, and the proposal to expand the World Cup to 64 teams.
When asked whether Infantino should resign, Tebas said, “In my opinion, yes, I think his time is up.”
Although he believes Infantino should leave office, Tebas acknowledged that the FIFA president continues to enjoy the backing of national football federations. He also described FIFA’s electoral process as deeply flawed.
“There’s no opposition candidate, nobody wants to stand just to lose,” Tebas said.
“He shouldn’t stay, but the current state of affairs means he won’t leave.”
Tebas, who travelled to the United States to watch Spain lift the 2026 FIFA World Cup, claimed many people privately oppose Infantino’s leadership but are unwilling to challenge him publicly.
“These past few days here in America, I’ve heard many people who are against Infantino, who disagree with what he’s doing,” Tebas said.
“They say it, but then they do nothing. I don’t know what’s worse, the silence or the complicity, because those who stay silent are perfectly aware of the damage football is suffering.”
Infantino is expected to secure a fourth term as FIFA president at the organisation’s congress in March.
However, Tebas suggested the controversy surrounding Balogun’s suspension could have threatened his position.
Balogun avoided serving a suspension for the United States’ Round of 16 clash against Belgium after intervention from US President Donald Trump.
“The suspension of the American player’s ban was absolutely serious. They were lucky that Belgium eliminated the USA, because otherwise a case could have arisen that might have cost Infantino his job,” Tebas said.
“Since Belgium won, they managed to bury the matter. But these things are just the tip of the iceberg.”
UEFA had strongly criticised FIFA’s decision at the time, describing it as “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable.” The dispute also contributed to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin’s decision to skip the World Cup final.
Tebas also dismissed the idea of expanding the World Cup to 64 teams, insisting it would further undermine domestic football.
“Increasing the number of national teams makes no sense. The football industry isn’t just the World Cup,” Tebas said.
“It’s the national competitions that sustain this sport. They are destroying the football industry, which generates tens of thousands of jobs, for an event that lasts 40 days and involves a minority of players.
“Are the best players there? Clearly, but they are also in our leagues. We need fewer international matches and more protection for national football, at all levels. They don’t realise they are making irresponsible decisions.”
FIFA introduced mandatory three-minute hydration breaks at every World Cup match across the United States, Mexico and Canada, saying the measure was designed to protect player welfare.
However, critics argued the stoppages mainly created additional advertising opportunities for broadcasters.
The World Cup final also featured performances by Madonna, BTS, Shakira and Justin Bieber, extending the traditional 15-minute half-time interval to 27 minutes and 22 seconds.
Tebas accused FIFA of prioritising commercial interests over the game.
“Fifa arranges things as it pleases, for what it wants, for its own interests, certainly not for football,” said Tebas. “So, if they need a 27-minute half-time break, they’ll have it.
“Hydration breaks are a lie. We have them in La Liga, but only when it’s genuinely hot.
“Here, the pitches in Dallas, Los Angeles, Atlanta had air conditioning; I had to put on a jumper in the stands. It was a lie, a break for advertising.
“It’s proof that we are governed by an institution that does and decides what it wants, when it wants, following only its own interests without considering the rest of football. And in many cases, it acts to the detriment of football.”
