Tebas’s objection is not to the World Cup’s importance, but to the pressure placed on players, clubs and domestic leagues. A larger finals tournament would mean more matches, more travel and an even tighter schedule around club football.
“The football industry is not just about the World Cup, however important it may be,” Tebas reportedly said. His wider argument is that domestic competitions provide football’s daily structure, supporting clubs, broadcasters, stadium workers and communities throughout the year.
That tension has become one of the sport’s defining arguments. wants to expand its biggest events, while leagues and clubs fear the calendar is approaching its limits.
Tebas has also reportedly turned his criticism towards president Gianni Infantino, questioning both his leadership and the decision-making structure at football’s governing body.
He described as “destroying the football industry” for a tournament lasting 40 days and involving only a minority of players. Tebas also said Infantino’s time was “over” and called the system that has enabled his long tenure “fundamentally flawed”.
Those are unusually forceful comments from a leading domestic-league official, particularly with Spain expected to be one of the principal hosts of the 2030 tournament.
The 64-team idea remains a reported discussion rather than a confirmed competition format. would need to balance its commercial ambitions with the concerns of leagues already managing crowded schedules and increasing player workloads.
The next stage will be whether the proposal becomes formal. If it does, Tebas and other domestic football leaders are likely to demand a much stronger voice before any decision is made.