World Cup: Reactions Trail Calls for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to Resign After Spain’s Triumph

Calls for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to resign following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup have sparked mixed reactions across social media, with football fans divided over his leadership of the global governing body.

The debate began after LaLiga President Javier Tebas urged Infantino to step down in the aftermath of Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in the World Cup final.

Tebas criticised FIFA’s handling of the tournament, pointing to the introduction of hydration breaks, the musical performance during the final in New Jersey and other organisational decisions. He also referenced the incident involving United States forward Folarin Balogun as an example of what he described as poor leadership under Infantino.

Asked whether the FIFA president should resign, Tebas replied, “In my opinion, yes. I think his time is up.”

His comments quickly generated widespread reactions on X, with supporters and critics expressing contrasting views about Infantino’s future.

Some users backed Tebas, arguing that FIFA requires fresh leadership and greater accountability. Others maintained that Infantino has overseen significant developments in world football and deserves to remain in office.

One user said Infantino had become “more of a politician than a sportsman,” while another argued that FIFA should introduce term limits for its presidents.

Others suggested it would be difficult to remove the FIFA boss because of the strong backing he enjoys from many national football associations around the world.

Several contributors also defended Infantino, claiming football has witnessed notable progress during his tenure and that he remains qualified for another term.

Some critics went further by calling for investigations into FIFA’s leadership, while others urged former professional footballers to seek the organisation’s top office in future elections.

The reactions highlight the continuing debate over FIFA’s governance and the direction of world football following the conclusion of the expanded 2026 World Cup.

Infantino, who has served as FIFA president since 2016, has overseen major changes to international football, including the expansion of the men’s World Cup and increased investment in global football development.

Despite the criticism, FIFA has not responded to Tebas’ remarks, and there is no indication that Infantino intends to step down before the end of his current term.