FIFA accused of 'destroying football industry' by LaLiga president over World Cup expansion plans
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- LaLiga president Javier Tebas criticized FIFA's potential expansion of the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, calling it a move that "destroys the football industry."
- Tebas argued that increasing the number of teams is nonsensical and harms national leagues, which are the backbone of the sport.
- He also suggested that FIFA president Gianni Infantino's tenure is nearing its end, citing a "vitiated system" that has allowed him to lead the organization for a decade.
Javier Tebas, president of Spain's LaLiga, has strongly criticized FIFA's consideration of expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, accusing the organization of "destroying the football industry." Tebas voiced his strong opposition in an interview with an Italian newspaper, arguing that the proposed expansion lacks sense and negatively impacts the broader football ecosystem.
They are destroying the industry of football, the one that generates tens of thousands of jobs, for an event that lasts 40 days and only affects a minority of players.
"Increasing the number of selections makes no sense. The football industry is not just the World Cup, however important it may be," Tebas stated. He emphasized that national competitions are what sustain the sport, generating tens of thousands of jobs, while the World Cup lasts only 40 days and involves a minority of players. Tebas believes that FIFA's decisions are irresponsible and fail to recognize the importance of national leagues and competitions in maintaining the sport's health.
Tebas also questioned the leadership of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, suggesting his time at the helm is over. He denounced what he called a "vitiated system from the base" that has enabled Infantino to lead FIFA for the past decade. This criticism comes amid discussions about the 2030 World Cup, which is set to be hosted primarily by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with additional matches in Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina.
We need fewer selections and greater protection for national football at all levels. They don't realize it and make decisions irresponsibly.
Concerns about the expanded format have also been raised by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, who previously described such a plan as "not a good idea." Tebas's remarks underscore a growing tension between FIFA's global ambitions and the concerns of major domestic leagues regarding fixture congestion, player welfare, and the overall integrity of the football calendar.
His time has ended.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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