La Liga president Javier Tebas has criticised FIFA`s proposal to explore expanding the 2030 FIFA World Cup to 64 teams, warning that such a move would damage domestic football and place even greater strain on the global match calendar.
In an interview published Tuesday by Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tebas accused world football`s governing body of acting irresponsibly by prioritising the expansion of international competitions at the expense of domestic leagues.
"The football industry is much bigger than the World Cup, no matter how important the tournament is," Tebas said. "They are damaging an industry that supports tens of thousands of jobs for an event that lasts only a few weeks and involves only a small percentage of players."
His comments came after FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed during the opening of this year`s Club World Cup that discussions were underway about increasing the number of teams at the 2030 World Cup from 48 to 64.
The centenary edition of the tournament will be primarily hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, while Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay are scheduled to stage selected opening matches to commemorate the inaugural World Cup in 1930.
Tebas said domestic competitions remain the backbone of the sport and warned that expanding the World Cup further would add unnecessary pressure to an already crowded international calendar.
"We have repeatedly raised concerns about the number of matches players are expected to play," he said. "Now they want a 64-team World Cup. Football needs fewer international fixtures and stronger protection for domestic leagues at every level."
The La Liga chief also took aim at Infantino`s leadership, arguing that FIFA`s decision-making process has become increasingly detached from the interests of clubs and national leagues.
According to Tebas, the current system has allowed Infantino to remain in power for nearly a decade while pursuing policies that, in his view, threaten the long-term health of the sport.
FIFA has not yet made a formal decision on expanding the 2030 tournament, and discussions among member associations are expected to continue before any proposal is put to a vote.
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