Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has publicly called for the removal of current FIFA president Gianni Infantino, criticizing his leadership amid controversies surrounding the recent World Cup. Blatter stated that the tournament “lost its credibility” due to actions taken under Infantino’s tenure and urged fans, players, and national associations to reclaim the sport and restore it “to its roots” through new leadership.

Blatter, whose own presidency faced multiple corruption allegations, remarked on social media that while the World Cup concluded with “the right champions,” the integrity of the event had been compromised on the way to the final.

Echoing Blatter’s concerns, Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, has also been vocal in his criticism of FIFA’s governance under Infantino. In an interview with an Italian newspaper, Tebas argued that Infantino’s expansion of international competitions has harmed domestic leagues and clubs, stating that the football industry is being “destroyed” by these changes. He called for Infantino to step down, asserting that “his time is up.”

Tebas, however, acknowledged that despite growing dissatisfaction within the soccer community, Infantino still enjoys strong backing from many national football federations. He highlighted a lack of viable opposition candidates as a reason why Infantino is likely to remain in office, with upcoming elections scheduled in Morocco for March 18 next year. Infantino has already expressed his intention to seek a fourth term.

One specific incident cited by Tebas concerns the postponement of a one-match ban for United States striker Folarin Balogun, who was red-carded during the World Cup. Tebas described the decision to delay the suspension as “an extremely serious matter,” alleging that the intervention of former US President Donald Trump played a role. He suggested that Belgium’s 4-1 victory over the United States helped “bury the matter” and implied that if the US had progressed further, the issue could have jeopardized Infantino’s position.

The criticism of Infantino comes amid ongoing tensions within international soccer governance. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin notably did not attend the World Cup final, reportedly due to disagreements with FIFA over disciplinary procedures, refereeing, and match operations.

Another point of contention involves FIFA’s plans to expand the men’s World Cup from 32 teams to potentially 64. The proposal has been supported by some officials, including CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez, who advocates for an enlarged 2030 tournament. Infantino has indicated openness to this idea, but Tebas strongly opposes the expansion, warning that it would detract from the significance of domestic leagues and the broader football industry, which provides extensive employment and sustains the sport throughout the year.

Tebas emphasized the importance of national competitions, stating that while the World Cup is the most prominent event, it cannot be the sole focus of football’s development and economic health. The ongoing debate highlights the divisions among football’s governing bodies and stakeholders on how best to balance the global growth of the game with the preservation of its traditional structures.