Tebassum accuses FIFA of "destroying the football industry"

- Increasing the number of teams in the World Cup is illogical

- Water-break intervals are merely a gimmick

Tibas’s attack on Infantino and FIFA came after Spain’s victory in the 2026 World Cup, amid speculation that the number of participating teams in the next edition in 2030, which will host some of its matches in Spain, could be increased from 48 to 64.

In an interview with the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tibas said: “There is no point in increasing the number of national teams. It is illogical.”

He added: “The football industry is not limited to the World Cup alone, despite it being the most important competition. Everything cannot revolve around the World Cup; domestic competitions are what sustain the sport.”

Tibas clarified: “They are destroying the football industry, which provides tens of thousands of jobs for an event lasting 40 days, in which only a small number of players participate.”

He continued: “We need fewer national teams and greater protection for domestic football at all levels. They do not realize this and are making irresponsible decisions.”

When asked whether Infantino should step down from his position, Tibas said: “In my opinion, yes, I believe his term has ended, but he enjoys the support of the system and the federations, and there is not much that can be added, is there?”

The president of the Spanish League emphasized: “There is no opposing candidate, and no one wants to run and lose. This is the system; it is a sick system at its core.”

He added: “These days here in the United States, I heard many people opposing Infantino and disagreeing with what he is doing. They say it, but they do nothing.”

Tibas affirmed: “I don’t know which is worse, silence or complicity; because those who remain silent are fully aware of the damage football is suffering.” He continued: “The decision to suspend the American player (Folarin Balogun) is extremely serious. They were lucky that Belgium defeated the United States; otherwise, the issue would have escalated, which would have led to Infantino’s dismissal.”

Tibas concluded: “We have breaks in the Spanish League, but only when the weather is extremely hot. In the stadiums of Dallas, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, the venues were air-conditioned, and I had to wear a jacket in the stands. It was merely a gimmick; it was an advertising break.”