Gianni Infantino Resignation: Blatter and Tebas Call for Ouster 2026

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is under fire from his predecessor Sepp Blatter and La Liga president Javier Tebas, who jointly demand his resignation over what they call the destruction of football. The criticism intensified after Spain’s World Cup win, with Tebas accusing Infantino of prioritizing the tournament over national competitions.

Blatter and Tebas Unite Against Infantino

Sepp Blatter, who led FIFA for 17 years before his own scandal, has called on fans, players, and national associations to “reclaim football” and bring it back to its roots under new leadership. Javier Tebas, the outspoken head of Spain’s La Liga, echoed the sentiment, stating that Infantino’s time is up.

The World Cup Expansion Controversy

Tebas is particularly critical of Infantino’s plan to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, up from the current 48. In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tebas argued that increasing the number of national teams makes no sense. “The football industry is not just the World Cup,” he said. “It is national competitions that support this sport.”

According to Tebas, FIFA is destroying an industry that generates tens of thousands of jobs for an event that lasts only 40 days and involves a minority of players. He insists that fewer national teams and more protection for national football are needed at all levels.

Infantino’s Reelection Prospects

Despite the criticism, Infantino is poised to be reelected for a fourth term in March, potentially unopposed for the third consecutive time. Tebas admits it is hard to envisage Infantino stepping down, as “the system is rotten at its core.” He claims that no opposition candidate emerges because nobody wants to stand just to lose.

Interestingly, Tebas believes that had the USA defeated Belgium in the round of 16, Infantino might have been mired in an unrecoverable scandal. The USA striker Folarin Balogun had a one-match ban suspended by the FIFA disciplinary committee, facilitating his involvement against Belgium.

Key Criticisms at a Glance

Takeaways from the Conflict

• Infantino faces unprecedented unity between two former rivals in Blatter and Tebas.
• The World Cup expansion to 64 teams is seen as detrimental to national leagues.
• Infantino remains likely to be reelected in March due to lack of opposition.
• FIFA’s disciplinary decisions have come under scrutiny, especially regarding player suspensions.

FAQ

The call for change is clear: Blatter and Tebas may have differing histories, but they agree that Gianni Infantino must go to save football. Whether their voices will sway the federation remains uncertain.