LaLiga president slams FIFA's 'destructive' World Cup expansion plan

Javier Tebas, the president of Spain's LaLiga, has strongly criticized FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, accusing them of "destroying the football industry" with the potential expansion of the 2030 World Cup from 48 to 64 teams. Tebas believes Infantino's tenure has been built on a "flawed system from the base."

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tebas expressed concern that increasing the number of participating teams would negatively impact local clubs and the overall football ecosystem. "Increasing the number of selections makes no sense. The football industry is not just the World Cup... They are destroying the football industry, which generates tens of thousands of jobs, for an event that lasts 40 days," he stated.

Tebas emphasized that "national competitions are what keep this sport alive" and called for a reconsideration of the international calendar. "We need fewer selections and greater protection for national football at all levels. They don't realize it and make decisions irresponsibly," he added.

The proposal to expand the World Cup to 64 teams is reportedly being considered by Infantino. This comes after the 2026 World Cup was already expanded to 48 teams, featuring a record 104 matches. The 2030 tournament, commemorating the World Cup's centenary, will have its opening matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, with the remainder hosted across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, marking the first World Cup held across three continents and six nations. Alejandro Domínguez, president of CONMEBOL, recently fueled the debate by sharing a video on social media advocating for the 64-team format for the centenary celebration.