La Liga president Javier Tebas has called for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign. The demand, made public this week, directly threatens a web of crypto partnerships that tie the world football body to Kraken, Avalanche, and Chiliz fan tokens.
Why Tebas wants Infantino out
Tebas didn't mince words. He said Infantino should step down, though the specific reasons behind the call aren't detailed in public statements. What's clear is that the La Liga chief has been a vocal critic of FIFA's governance and its expanding commercial deals — especially those involving digital assets.
The timing isn't great for Infantino. FIFA has been leaning hard into crypto sponsorships as a new revenue stream. Those deals now face an uncertain future if Tebas's campaign gains traction among other football leagues or regulators.
The crypto deals in the crosshairs
Kraken, the US-based exchange, signed on as a FIFA partner earlier this year. Avalanche, the blockchain platform, also has a sponsorship agreement tied to the 2026 World Cup. And Chiliz, the company behind fan tokens for dozens of football clubs, has been working with FIFA on tokenized fan engagement products.
These aren't small experiments. Kraken's deal was meant to bring crypto payments and fan experiences to the World Cup. Avalanche's partnership involves building a digital collectibles platform. Chiliz fan tokens are already used by clubs like FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain — and FIFA wanted a piece of that action.
Tebas's demand puts all of that in doubt. If Infantino resigns, FIFA's leadership vacuum could stall or kill these contracts. Even if he stays, the public pressure might make brands nervous about associating with the organization.
What's at stake for crypto adoption
Football is one of the biggest stages for crypto to reach a mainstream audience. The World Cup alone draws billions of viewers. Kraken, Avalanche, and Chiliz all bet big on that exposure.
Now they're watching a political fight that could unravel those bets. No one's pulling out yet — but the uncertainty is real. For a sector that's been trying to shake off reputational baggage, a messy FIFA leadership crisis isn't helpful.
What happens next
FIFA hasn't responded to Tebas's call. Infantino is still in charge, and the next FIFA Council meeting is scheduled for later this year. Whether other leagues or national associations back Tebas will determine how much pressure actually builds.
For now, the crypto partners are stuck waiting. Their contracts are signed, but the political ground beneath them just shifted.
