Compiled by Al Jazeera Staff and AFP

Spanish league president Javier Tebas has long been a vocal critic of FIFA's leadership and its plans for expanding the World Cup.

Published On 21 Jul 202621 Jul 2026

The president of the Spanish football league, Javier Tebas, has accused FIFA of acting “irresponsibly” following the announcement of discussions regarding a possible 64-team World Cup in 2030, in an interview with an Italian sports daily.

Tebas further stated that Gianni Infantino's tenure as FIFA president had “expired,” according to the interview published Tuesday in La Gazzetta dello Sport.

He lamented the manner in which FIFA’s leadership is elected, terming it a system that is “fundamentally flawed”, which has allowed Infantino to lead football’s global governing body for a decade.

“They are wrecking the football industry – which sustains tens of thousands of jobs – for a 40-day tournament that benefits only a select few players,” he declared.

“They are destroying the football industry – which generates tens of thousands of jobs – for an event that lasts 40 days and involves only a minority of players.”

At the World Cup opening ceremony in June, Infantino mentioned “discussions about expanding to 64 teams” for the World Cup’s centenary in 2030, which will be cohosted primarily by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina also welcoming some matches.

“We have repeatedly expressed our concerns about the competition calendar. And now they want to organise a 64-team World Cup,” Tebas added, emphasising that “it is the domestic leagues that keep this sport alive”.

“We need fewer national teams and better protection for domestic football at all levels. They don’t realise this and are making decisions irresponsibly,” Tebas added.

FIFA has not responded to Al Jazeera’s request for a comment following the accusations levelled by La Liga’s Tebas.

The proposed 64-team tournament for 2030 would be co-hosted by six countries across three continents. Tebas's comments reflect growing tension between domestic leagues and FIFA over the international match calendar. The debate highlights the ongoing struggle over the balance of power in global football.