Calls for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign have intensified following widespread criticism of the governing body's handling of the recent World Cup and plans to further expand the tournament. La Liga president Javier Tebas and former FIFA president Sepp Blatter have both voiced strong opposition to Infantino’s leadership, citing concerns over the direction of world football under his tenure.
Tebas, who leads Spain’s top football league, described FIFA as “destroying the football industry” with its current policies. He argued against FIFA’s proposal to increase the number of participating teams at the 2030 World Cup from 48 to 64, saying such an expansion “makes no sense” and undermines the importance and viability of national competitions. According to Tebas, the football industry relies heavily on national leagues, which sustain tens of thousands of jobs and broader football infrastructures, unlike the World Cup, which involves only a minority of players over a limited period. He stressed the need for greater protection of domestic football at all levels, criticizing FIFA's focus on the World Cup as “irresponsible.”
Tebas also addressed controversies from the recent tournament, including the introduction of extended hydration breaks and unusually long halftime intervals, calling them unnecessary and motivated by commercial interests rather than player welfare. He pointed to the use of air-conditioned stadiums in some venues as evidence that hydration breaks were not justified and termed them “a lie” designed to create extra advertising opportunities.
Another major point of contention has been the handling of USA striker Folarin Balogun’s disciplinary case. Balogun’s one-match suspension was overturned by FIFA’s disciplinary committee after a reported phone call to Infantino from former US President Donald Trump. Tebas described this incident as "absolutely serious" and suggested it could have led to Infantino’s removal had the USA advanced further in the tournament. Blatter echoed this view, stating that the tournament had “lost its credibility” and warning that “politics must not be allowed to overshadow the game.”
Infantino, 56, has served as FIFA president for a decade and is poised for a fourth term in office, potentially running unopposed. While Tebas believes Infantino’s time in charge should end, he acknowledged the difficulty of challenging the current system, which he described as “flawed from the ground up” and lacking meaningful opposition candidates.
Blatter called for a return to leadership that prioritizes the interests of fans, players, and national associations, suggesting that new direction is needed to restore football’s integrity. FIFA declined to comment directly on these criticisms. The debate over the future structure of the World Cup and FIFA’s governance highlights ongoing tensions between competing visions for the sport’s global development.