La Liga president calls for Infantino’s resignation over ‘destroying the football industry’

By Liam Tremblay — 21 July 2026 — 3 min read

La Liga president Javier Tebas has called for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign, stating that Infantino is “destroying the football industry.” Tebas’s comments, made on Monday, criticized the expansion of international competitions and other decisions by the world governing body.

This is not the first time Tebas has voiced concerns regarding Infantino’s leadership, particularly concerning fixture congestion. He has previously spoken out against proposals to expand the men’s World Cup 2030 from 48 teams to 64.

Concerns Over World Cup Expansion and Industry Impact

Tebas emphasized that increasing the number of national teams in the World Cup “makes no sense.” He argued that while the World Cup is the most significant event, the entire football industry should not revolve solely around it. He believes that national competitions are what truly sustain the sport.

According to Tebas, FIFA’s actions are “destroying the football industry,” which he noted generates numerous jobs. He contrasted this with the World Cup, which he described as an event lasting 40 days and involving only a minority of players. He stressed the importance of protecting national football at all levels and reducing the number of international matches.

When asked directly if Infantino should step down, Tebas responded, “In my opinion, yes, I think his time is up.” However, he acknowledged that Infantino has the support of the system and national federations, making his departure unlikely. Tebas described the election system as “rotten at its core,” noting the absence of opposition candidates.

Tebas also mentioned that he has heard many individuals express opposition to Infantino’s leadership, particularly during his recent time in America. He criticized those who voice their disagreement but then take no action, questioning whether silence or complicity is worse, as those who remain silent are aware of the damage being inflicted upon football.

Criticism of World Cup Decisions and Player Welfare

Tebas also directed criticism at FIFA regarding several decisions implemented during the recent World Cup, which concluded on Sunday. These included the new hydration breaks and an extended halftime interval during the final match, where Spain defeated Argentina 1-0.

The hydration breaks, introduced midway through each half, were intended to help players cope with summer heat in host nations such as the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, critics, including Tebas, argued that these breaks disrupted the flow of the game and provided coaches with opportunities to make tactical adjustments. Tebas specifically pointed out that pitches in cities like Dallas, Los Angeles, and Atlanta had air conditioning, suggesting the hydration breaks were a pretext for advertising rather than a genuine player welfare measure.

The halftime interval during the final was extended to 27 minutes 22 seconds, significantly longer than the standard 15 minutes. This extended break featured performances by various pop music artists. Tebas suggested that FIFA arranges matters to suit its own interests, stating, “FIFA arranges things as it pleases, for what it wants, for its own interests — certainly not for football.”

Tebas also highlighted a situation involving United States striker Folarin Balogun, who reportedly avoided a suspension for his side’s last-16 tie with Belgium following an intervention from US President Donald Trump. Tebas called this incident “absolutely serious,” suggesting it could have jeopardized Infantino’s position if Belgium had not eliminated the USA. UEFA, European football’s governing body, had previously criticized FIFA’s decision regarding Balogun as “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable,” leading to UEFA’s president, Aleksander Ceferin, not attending the World Cup final.

Infantino announced in April his intention to run for re-election for a fourth term as president. The vote for the 2027–2031 period is scheduled to take place on March 18 in Morocco.

Source: tsn.ca