LaLiga president Javier Tebas has called on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to resign following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing what he described as poor leadership and decisions that put commercial interests ahead of football.
Spain defeated Argentina to win the 2026 World Cup title, bringing the tournament to a close.
Speaking after the competition, Tebas criticised FIFA over its handling of the tournament, pointing to the use of extended hydration breaks, the Balogun incident, and what he described as the lack of accountability within the governing body.
According to Tebas, FIFA prioritised its own interests rather than those of the sport.
“FIFA organizes events according to their own interests, rather than for the benefit of football. If they require a 27-minute break, they simply create one.
“Hydration breaks are absurd. We have them in LaLiga, but only under extreme heat conditions. The stadiums in Dallas, LA, and Atlanta were air-conditioned; I even had to wear a sweater in the stands! It was ridiculous, all for a commercial interruption. Additionally, there was the Balogun situation.
“They were fortunate that Belgium eliminated the USA, as otherwise, a scandal could have arisen that might have cost Infantino his position. With Belgium’s victory, they managed to suppress the issue. However, this is merely the tip of the iceberg. Infantino should resign; his time has come.
“Yet, he enjoys the backing of the establishment and national federations. There is no opposing candidate; no one is willing to run for a position they are likely to lose. The system is fundamentally flawed. In the USA, I have heard many voices criticizing Infantino and opposing his actions,” Tebas said, according to Tribal Football.
