La Liga Boss Tebas Condemns FIFA’s World Cup Final Decisions As Detrimental To Football

• Javier Tebas criticises FIFA for extending the 2026 World Cup final half-time break to 27 minutes.

• La Liga president says commercial interests are being prioritised over the integrity of football.

• Tebas also dismisses World Cup hydration breaks as advertising-driven rather than necessary for player welfare.

July 21, (THEWILL) — La Liga president, Javier Tebas, has launched a fresh attack on FIFA after the governing body extended the half-time interval during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final to accommodate a star-studded entertainment show.

The final, which featured performances from global music stars BTS, Shakira and Justin Bieber, saw the traditional 15-minute break stretched to 27 minutes and 22 seconds.

Tebas accused FIFA of prioritising commercial interests over the sport itself, arguing that football is increasingly being shaped by entertainment and advertising.

“FIFA does whatever suits its own interests. If it wants a 27-minute half-time break, then that’s exactly what happens. These decisions are made without considering what is best for football”, Tebas said.

The Spanish football executive also questioned the use of cooling and hydration breaks during the tournament, claiming they were introduced more for commercial reasons than player welfare.

“We use hydration breaks in La Liga only when temperatures genuinely require them”, he said. “In stadiums like Dallas, Los Angeles and Atlanta, the climate control systems were so effective that I actually needed a jumper while watching from the stands.”

According to Tebas, the additional stoppages served primarily as opportunities for advertising rather than protecting players from extreme conditions.

He argued that FIFA’s approach demonstrates how the organisation exercises its authority without sufficient regard for the wider football community.

“This shows that football is being governed by an institution that makes decisions whenever and however it wants, following only its own agenda. Too often, those decisions end up harming the game rather than helping it”, Tebas added.