How far will the war between giants go? La Liga chief exposes the system and shocking background of the World Cup

Tebas launched his broadside shortly after Spain's World Cup triumph and amidst speculation that the number of teams at the 2030 tournament, partially hosted by Spain, could increase from 48 to 64.

"Increasing the number of national teams makes no sense. The football industry isn't just the World Cup, which is the most important event. Not everything can revolve around the World Cup. There are national competitions that support the sport," he stated in an interview with Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport on Tuesday.

Tebas advocates for fewer national teams in tournaments and greater protection for domestic leagues: "An event lasting 40 days, involving a minority of players, is destroying a football industry that generates tens of thousands of jobs. We need fewer national teams and greater protection for league football at all levels. They don't realize this; they make irresponsible decisions."

When asked if Infantino should step down, Tebas responded: "In my opinion, yes, I think he's had his time. But he has the support of the system, of the federations, there's not much more to add, is there? There's no opposition candidate, no one wants to present themselves as defeated. This is a system that is sick from the ground up. These days, here in America, I've heard many people against Infantino, who disagree with what he's doing. They say it, but then they do nothing. I don't know if silence or complicity is worse, because those who remain silent are fully aware of the damage football is suffering."

Infantino is seeking a fourth term at the March congress and reportedly has the backing of numerous delegates. However, Tebas believes the Folarin Balogun affair could have cost the 56-year-old Swiss his position.

During the World Cup, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee suspended a one-match ban for the American striker, allowing him to play in the round of 16 against Belgium. This decision followed a phone call between Infantino and then-US President Donald Trump. Infantino denied that the call had any influence on the disciplinary committee's ruling.

"The suspension of the American player's ban is an absolutely serious matter. They were lucky because Belgium eliminated the USA; otherwise, a case could have arisen that might have cost Infantino his job. Since Belgium won, they managed to bury it. But these things are just the tip of the iceberg. FIFA handles things as it pleases, for what it wants, for its own interests, certainly not for football.

And so, if they need a break after 27 minutes, they'll do it. Hydration breaks are a lie. We have them in La Liga, but only when it's genuinely hot. Here, the stadiums in Dallas, Los Angeles, Atlanta had air conditioning; I had to wear a sweater in the stands. It was a lie; it was a commercial break," Tebas added.