LaLiga leader Javier Tebas has publicly demanded that FIFA President Gianni Infantino step down after the 2026 World Cup concluded. Spain claimed their second title on Sunday in New York with a narrow 1-0 win against Argentina.
Tebas expressed strong disapproval regarding how FIFA handled the competition, pointing to unnecessary hydration breaks and intrusive musical segments during the final match. He specifically highlighted that hydration pauses in climate-controlled stadiums in Dallas, Los Angeles, and Atlanta seemed designed purely for commercial purposes rather than player safety.
The LaLiga executive also cited the Folarin Balogun case as evidence of poor leadership. US President Donald Trump intervened regarding a red card issued to the striker, which led to a suspension of the ban. Tebas suggested that Infantino only avoided a massive scandal because Belgium knocked the USA out of the bracket. While he noted that Infantino retains support from national federations and lacks political challengers, Tebas insists the current system is broken.
Tension surrounding the tournament organization was high, leading UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin to skip the final entirely. Tebas maintains that FIFA prioritizes its own interests over the health of the sport, concluding that Infantino’s tenure should come to an end.
