La Liga criticized FIFA for changes in tournament formats

• La Liga, Spain’s top league, has criticized FIFA.
• They critic for approving a 32-team Club World Cup.
• Gianni Infantino expected to be re-elected unopposed.

La Liga, Spain’s top league, believes FIFA has shown “complete disregard” for the importance of national competitions after approving a 32-team Club World Cup as well as an expanded World Cup.

The expanded 2026 men’s World Cup in North America will begin with 12 groups of four teams, rather than the original planned format of 16 groups of three, FIFA announced on Tuesday.

It means that 104 matches will be played, a significant increase from the 64 games played at last year’s tournament.

“FIFA continues its malpractice of making unilateral decisions on the world football calendar, showing complete disregard for the importance of national championships, and the football community in general,” LaLiga said in a statement on Tuesday.

“FIFA completely neglects the economic damage these decisions inflict on leagues around the world. Leagues were not consulted about any of the changes presented today, especially about the new annual club competition…

“These decisions do not take into account the competitive, sporting and economic impact on national leagues, clubs and players, by further cramming an already overloaded schedule. FIFA only takes into account a small group of clubs and players…”

FIFA’s initial plan for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, was for 16 groups of three teams, with the top two advancing to a last 32.

The top two teams from each group, as well as the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout round under the new format.

As a result, the finalists, as well as the third and fourth-place teams, will play eight games instead of the current seven.

A dramatic group stage at the tournament in Qatar convinced FIFA that a rethink was required.

“The groups of four have been absolutely incredible until the last minute of the last match,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in December.

The decision was announced on Tuesday following a FIFA Council meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, which confirmed the next men’s World Cup final will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2026.

Infantino is expected to be re-elected unopposed to a new four-year term as FIFA President at Thursday’s FIFA Congress.

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