ROME, July 21, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The president of the Spanish football 
league, Javier Tebas, accused FIFA of acting "irresponsibly" following the 
announcement of discussions regarding a possible 64-team World Cup in 2030, 
in an interview with an Italian sports daily published Tuesday.

Tebas also said that FIFA president Gianni Infantino's time was "over", 
telling La Gazzetta dello Sport that there is a "system that is fundamentally 
flawed", which has allowed him to lead football's global governing body for a 
decade.

"The football industry is not just about the World Cup, however important it 
may be," he 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."

At the World Cup opening ceremony in June, Infantino mentioned "discussions 
about expanding to 64 teams" for the World Cup's centenary in 2030, which 
will be co-hosted primarily by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with Paraguay, 
Uruguay and Argentina also welcoming some matches.

"We have repeatedly expressed our concerns about the competition calendar. 
And now they want to organise a 64-team World Cup," Tebas added, emphasising 
that "it is the domestic leagues that keep this sport alive".

"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.