Asian nations join growing opposition to Fifa's controversial World Cup investment plan
The Asian Football Confederation has joined UEFA and Concacaf in opposing FIFA's plan to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors. The AFC criticized FIFA for a lack of consultation and called for a review of its governance processes.
Why it matters
The opposition from major football confederations creates a significant hurdle for FIFA's financial restructuring plans and highlights internal governance tensions.
Image source, Getty Images Published 31 July 2026, 09:29 BST Updated 1 minute ago The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) says it "stands in solidarity" with Uefa and Concacaf in opposition to Fifa's proposal to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors.
In a statement published on Friday, the AFC said Fifa president Gianni Infantino's plan could not "realistically achieve the necessary broad consensus and unity required to move forward".
"The Fifa World Cup is the pinnacle of global football and derives its strength from the participation of all Confederations and the world's leading football nations," it said.
"Any proposal that risks undermining the unity and universal character of the competition must be reconsidered."
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