FIFA president Gianni Infantino (C) watches a 2026 World Cup semifinal match between Argentina and England on Wednesday in Atlanta. Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI | License Photo
The president of Spain’s top professional soccer league, La Liga, criticized a potential 64-team World Cup and said he believes FIFA president Gianni Infantino should resign.
Javier Tebas made the comments during an interview published Tuesday by Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport. Spain, Portugal and Morocco will be the primary hosts of the 2030 World Cup.
Tebas said Infantino and FIFA are “destroying the football industry” through the event, which is held every four years. FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Tebas’ statements.
“We need fewer national teams and more protection for national football, at all levels,” Tebas said. “They don’t realize. They decide irresponsibly.”
This year’s World Cup was the first to include 48 teams, the most in history. The previous seven editions had 32 teams, up from 24 in 1994.
Criticism hovered around the 2026 tournament, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with complaints about visa issues, ticket pricing, hydration breaks and political intervention by U.S, President Donald Trump.
Despite concerns dealt with in the first edition of the expanded tournament, FIFA is discussing increasing field again.
Alejandro Dominguez, the president of South American soccer governing body Conmebol, wrote Monday on social media that the 2030 tournament will be played with 64 teams.
Special opening centenary matches for the 2030 tournament will be held in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
“In my opinion, yes [Infantino should resign], I think he has had his day,” Tebas said. “But he has the support of the system, of the federations, there is not much more to add, right?
“There is no opposition candidate, no one wants to present themselves to lose. This is the system, and it is a system that is sick at the source. In these days here in America, I have heard many people against Infantino, who do not agree with what he does. They say it, but then they do nothing.
“I don’t know if silence or complicity is worse, because those who are silent are perfectly aware of the damage that football is suffering.”
Tebas cited the 2026 World Cup hydration breaks, which he said “are a lie” and a “break for advertising.” He also criticized overturning the red card suspension of United States striker Folarin Balogun, which came after a discussion between Trump and Infantino.
The next FIFA presidential election will be held March 18. Infantino announced in April that he run again.
Infantino on Sunday called the 2026 World Cup an “incredible success.” He also hinted that the tournament field could increase to 64.
“We will see if it is still with 48 teams, which has been very successful, or maybe with 64 teams,” Infantino said. “We’ll have to discuss that, to analyze that. We will see if we have hydration breaks or not, by then, we will have to analyze and discuss it.”
Infantino, who took over as FIFA president in 2016, also addressed critics and said “nothing can touch the power and the magic of the World Cup.”
“We’ll see, also, how the world will look like,” Infantino said. “We have seen in this World Cup that even if many people are saying that the world is divided and aggressive, and many people were trying to challenge and criticize FIFA or the World Cup for many, many things before the kick-off, during the World Cup even.
“Nothing can touch the power and the magic of the World Cup because the world needs events like this to bring them together, to bring people together in joy and happiness.”
Spain defeats Argentina to win 2026 FIFA World Cup
Spain’s captain Rodri raises the trophy as he and his teammates celebrate after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup in East Rutherford, N.J.,, on June 19, 2026. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
