La Liga Chief Slams FIFA’s World Cup Expansion

La Liga president Javier Tebas has criticised FIFA over discussions about expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, accusing football’s governing body of acting irresponsibly and putting the wider game at risk.

Speaking in an interview with the Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Javier Tebas argued that increasing the size of the 2030 World Cup would place unnecessary pressure on domestic football. He also claimed that FIFA president Gianni Infantino has remained in office for too long because of what he described as “a system that is fundamentally flawed”.

“The football industry is not just about the World Cup, however important it may be,” Tebas said. “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.”

The debate follows comments made by Gianni Infantino during the opening ceremony of the Club World Cup in June, where he confirmed there had been “discussions about expanding to 64 teams” for the 2030 World Cup. The tournament will mainly be hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, while Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina will also stage selected matches as part of the centenary celebrations.

Javier Tebas said La Liga has repeatedly raised concerns about the growing international football calendar. He warned that expanding the tournament would place even greater strain on clubs and domestic competitions.

“We have repeatedly expressed our concerns about the competition calendar. And now they want to organise a 64-team World Cup,” Tebas said. He added, “it is the domestic leagues that keep this sport alive” before calling for fewer international matches and stronger protection for league football. “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.

Do you think expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams would benefit football or place too much pressure on domestic leagues?