Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has intensified his criticism of Gianni Infantino following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, claiming the tournament “lost its credibility” because of political interference and urging football to return to its traditional values under new leadership.
Blatter’s latest remarks come just days after Spain lifted the trophy in New York, bringing to an end the biggest World Cup ever staged, featuring 48 nations across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Reflecting on the tournament, the 90-year-old acknowledged Spain deserved their triumph but argued that events away from the pitch overshadowed the competition.
“The longest edition in the history of the World Cup has come to an end with the crowning of a deserved champion. But on the way to the final whistle, the tournament lost its credibility due to political interference.”
The statement is the strongest criticism yet from Blatter since the World Cup ended and builds on concerns he first raised earlier in the tournament over FIFA’s handling of disciplinary matters.
Balogun controversy remains central
Much of Blatter’s criticism continues to centre on FIFA’s controversial decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s automatic one match ban after the United States striker was sent off during the group stage.
The decision allowed Balogun to feature against Belgium in the Round of 32 after FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee placed his suspension on a one year probationary period.
The ruling triggered widespread debate after reports claimed United States President Donald Trump had personally discussed the matter with FIFA president Gianni Infantino before the committee announced its decision.
England manager Thomas Tuchel questioned the consistency of FIFA’s disciplinary process, while Belgium coach Rudi Garcia famously described the Balogun decision as “an April Fool’s joke.”
UEFA also issued an unusually strong statement accusing FIFA of crossing “a red line” by overturning what it described as a mandatory automatic suspension.
Although FIFA insisted the disciplinary committee acted independently and within its regulations, the controversy generated fierce criticism across world football.
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Blatter was among the first former FIFA officials to warn that football must never become “a playground for political power.”
Tebas joins pressure on FIFA president
Blatter’s latest intervention comes as LaLiga president Javier Tebas also launched a blistering attack on Infantino, openly calling on the FIFA president to resign.
Tebas accused FIFA of prioritising the World Cup at the expense of domestic football while condemning proposals to expand the 2030 tournament from 48 to 64 teams.
“Increasing the number of national teams makes no sense,” Tebas said.
“The football industry is not just the World Cup. National competitions sustain football.”
He also described FIFA’s governance structure as “a system rotten at its core” and argued Infantino had “had his day.”
The Spanish football chief further claimed the Balogun disciplinary controversy could have become an even greater scandal had the United States progressed further in the tournament.
There’s a Growing list of controversies
The Balogun affair was only one of several issues that attracted criticism during the six weeks tournament.
FIFA also faced questions over visa complications affecting officials and supporters travelling to the United States, the use of lengthy commercial driven half time intervals, hydration breaks in air-conditioned stadiums, and continued debate over plans to further expand future World Cups.
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Despite the criticism, Infantino is widely expected to seek and secure a fourth term as FIFA president at the organisation’s next Congress, with no major challenger currently emerging.
