Asia confederation backs UEFA, CONCACAF opposition to FIFA World Cup sale plan
The Asian Football Confederation has joined UEFA and CONCACAF in opposing FIFA's proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors. The confederation criticized FIFA's lack of consultation and decision-making transparency.
Why it matters
The potential privatization of the World Cup represents a major shift in the governance and commercial structure of global sports.
A general view outside the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland on Nov 20, 2025. (File photo: Reuters/Denis Balibouse)
The Asian Football Confederation said on Friday (Jul 31) it "stands in solidarity" with regional bodies UEFA and CONCACAF in opposing plans to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors but stopped short of threatening to boycott events run by FIFA, global soccer's governing body.
The confederation, in a statement, expressed "deep concern" about the proposed establishment of a US$20 billion commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to run the World Cup and FIFA's other events.
"The fact that the situation has reached the point where the real possibility of a FIFA World Cup boycott has entered public discourse should concern everyone who cares about the future of our game," the statement said.
"Football should never have been placed in such a position."
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