Spanish leader accuses FIFA of “destroying football” with
According to News.
Context
The criticism coming from a Spanish official highlights the tension between FIFA and national federations, especially in Europe, where concerns about the football calendar are increasingly evident. The director joins a growing list of voices warning of the risks associated with overloading players, which could affect the quality of the spectacle at the 2026 World Cup, which will be held jointly by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Why this matters
Spanish officials' criticism of FIFA reflects growing discontent with changes to the football calendar, especially with the expansion of the 2026 World Cup. The introduction of 48 teams and 104 games raises concerns about the health and performance of players, who already face an intense workload in their leagues. This debate is crucial as it could influence future decisions on the structure of international competitions and the management of the football calendar.
Main conclusions
- Spanish leader accuses FIFA of “destroying football” with the.
- Spanish director's criticism of FIFA for decisions related to the World Cup reignites debate about the expansion to 48 teams, denser calendar and impact on teams' preparation towards the 2026 World Cup.
- FIFA ‘destroying football’ for the World Cup, says Spanish football chief - Al Jazeera.
The controversy surrounding the future of national team football gained strength again after a Spanish leader accused FIFA of “destroying football” with the decisions made for the World Cup, reported Al Jazeera. The criticism, bluntly, focuses on the direction that the organization led by Gianni Infantino took to the competition, in particular its expansion and the direct impact on the competitive calendar.
The 2026 World Cup, which will be organized by the United States, Mexico and Canada, introduces the expanded format to 48 teams and a total of 104 games, a significant increase compared to the 64 matches in recent editions. In sporting terms, the new design foresees 12 groups of four teams, with the first two and the best third parties moving on to an additional round of 32 teams. In practice, the teams that reach the final will be able to play up to eight games — one more than in previous editions —, increasing the physical and logistical demands on players and technical teams.
On the side of those who criticize, the main argument is the congestion of the calendar and the burden on athletes, who already accumulate long seasons at clubs before appearing for the national teams. Players' associations, league managers and several coaches in Europe have, in recent years, drawn attention to the risk of injuries and the loss of quality of the spectacle when competitive windows become saturated. The comment now coming from Spain fits exactly into this warning register.
FIFA, for its part, has defended expansion as a necessary step towards the globalization of the game, increasing the number of countries represented and taking the World Cup to new markets and fans. The organization also maintains that the reformulation of formats seeks to balance competitiveness and opportunity, and points to a calendar planning that, it guarantees, will have been designed to mitigate the risks of fatigue. Still, the discussion is far from over, with the new Club World Cup and the densification of international competitions fueling the debate about limits and priorities.
For teams like Portugal, the issue is not theoretical: preparation for 2026 will have to include more travel, possible long journeys between host cities and careful management of workloads, knowing that the route to the final could mean eight games in just over a month. The choice of stadiums, recovery times between matches and the logistics of traveling in North America will be key factors for those who want to go far.
With the countdown to 2026 accelerating, the statements coming from Spain once again put a central question on the table: to what extent does the expansion and multiplication of games serve football — and its protagonists — in the long term? The theme promises to continue to mark the agenda until the start of the next World Cup.
What happens next
With the 2026 World Cup approaching, discussions about the impact of expansion are expected to continue to intensify. Officials and players' associations could pressure FIFA to reconsider some of its decisions, especially if concerns about injuries and quality of play persist. The outcome of these discussions could shape not only the 2026 World Cup, but also the future of international football competitions.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to FIFA and the World Cup?
A Spanish official accused FIFA of 'destroying football' due to the decisions made for the World Cup, especially in relation to the expansion of the competition.
Who confirmed the criticism of FIFA?
The criticisms were made by a Spanish leader, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Why has criticism of FIFA gained momentum now?
The criticism comes in response to the new format of the 2026 World Cup, which will increase the number of teams and games, causing concerns about the calendar and the burden on athletes.
What changes are planned for
the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 World Cup will have an expanded format with 48 teams and 104 games, compared to the 64 games in previous editions.
What are the concerns regarding the new format of the World Cup?
The main concerns include calendar congestion and the physical strain on players, who already face long seasons at club level before joining the national teams.