Full Breakdown
LaLiga President Calls for FIFA Chief Gianni Infantino’s Resignation – Who Holds the Power to Remove Him?
7/24/2026, 4:27:36 AM
Core Event
Javier Tebas, president of Spain’s LaLiga, publicly demanded that FIFA president Gianni Infantino step down. Tebas’s request does not itself trigger any formal removal mechanism; instead, it places political pressure on the governing body while the statutory authority to dismiss the FIFA president remains with the FIFA Congress, the assembly of the 211 national football federations.
Background & Context
FIFA’s statutes designate the Congress as the supreme legislative organ. Each member federation—regardless of size, competitive level, or economic weight—holds a single vote. The Congress alone can elect or dismiss the FIFA president. Removal would require a formal proposal to the Congress and the support stipulated by the statutes. Neither LaLiga, UEFA, nor any national government can unilaterally dismiss the president. The only alternative to a forced ouster is a voluntary resignation by Infantino.
The presidential election is conducted by secret ballot among the federations. A candidate must secure a two-thirds majority in the first round; if that threshold is not met, subsequent rounds are decided by a simple majority of valid votes. Candidates must obtain formal backing from several national associations and pass FIFA’s eligibility checks. The president serves a four-year term, with a statutory limit of three mandates—consecutive or not. The period Infantino served after Joseph Blatter’s departure does not count as a full mandate.
Data & Statistics
- 211 member national federations compose the FIFA Congress.
- A two-thirds majority is required in the first voting round for election; later rounds use a simple majority.
- FIFA statutes limit presidents to three mandates.
- Infantino announced in April that he will stand for re-election in the Congress vote scheduled for March 18, 2027 in Morocco.
Criticism & Opposition
Tebas’s criticism centers on FIFA’s expansion of international competitions, which he argues harms domestic leagues and clubs. He specifically targets the proposed expansion of the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, following the 48-team format introduced for 2026. Tebas contends that the enlarged international calendar threatens the seasonal competitions that generate “tens of thousands of jobs.” He also questions FIFA’s disciplinary management and notes a lack of internal opposition to Infantino within the Congress. According to Tebas, some leaders voice private discontent but do not present an alternative candidacy or act in the Congress.
Official Statements & Responses
Infantino confirmed his intention to run again, stating that he will seek the mandate covering the 2027-2031 period. He emphasized that, despite criticism, he retains strong backing among the national federations and that no viable opposition candidate has emerged to challenge his re-election.
Timeline
- April 2024 – Infantino announces his candidacy for the upcoming FIFA presidential election.
- March 18, 2027 (scheduled) – FIFA Congress in Morocco will hold the presidential election.
The removal of a FIFA president, therefore, hinges on a formal congressional process rather than external pressure from clubs, leagues, or governments. Until such a proposal is tabled and gains the requisite support within the Congress, Infantino’s tenure is set to continue through the scheduled 2027 election.
