Full Breakdown
La Liga Chief Demands FIFA President Gianni Infantino Step Down
7/21/2026, 9:06:20 PM
Tebas’ Call for Infantino’s Resignation
In an interview with *La Gazzetta dello Sport* while attending the 2026 World Cup in the United States, La Liga president Javier Tebas said Gianni Infantino’s tenure should end, describing the FIFA president’s “time is up.” Tebas argued that Infantino’s election system is “rotten at its core” and that the lack of an opposition candidate ensures his continued hold on power. He warned that, despite broad support from national federations, the current governance structure prevents Infantino from leaving.
Critique of FIFA’s World Cup Policies
Tebas targeted several FIFA decisions made during the tournament. He condemned the mandatory three-minute hydration breaks, calling them “a lie” and noting that La Liga only uses such breaks when heat truly warrants them.
Potential Consequences for the Sport
Tebas warned that prioritising the World Cup over national competitions threatens the financial stability of clubs worldwide. He suggested that more international matches and an enlarged tournament could erode the domestic game, which he described as “the football industry.” The criticism comes ahead of FIFA’s scheduled March congress, where Infantino is expected to seek a fourth term.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There's no opposition candidate, nobody wants to stand just to lose,” — Javier Tebas, la liga president
- “These past few days here in America, I've heard many people who are against Infantino, who disagree with what he's doing,” — Javier Tebas, la liga president
- “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,” — Javier Tebas, la liga president
- “Increasing the number of national teams makes no sense. The football industry isn't just the World Cup,” — Javier Tebas, la liga president
- “Fifa arranges things as it pleases, for what it wants, for its own interests, certainly not for football," said Tebas.” — Javier Tebas, la liga president
