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Asia Joins UEFA and Concacaf in Rejecting FIFA's World Cup Proposal
The Asian Football Confederation has become the third major confederation to oppose FIFA's controversial World Cup plan, dealing another significant blow to Gianni Infantino's proposal.
Opposition to FIFA Continues to Grow
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has become the third major confederation to reject Gianni Infantino's proposal to introduce private investment into FIFA's flagship competitions, further jeopardizing the future of the initiative.
According to The Independent, the AFC has aligned itself with UEFA and Concacaf, both of which had already voiced strong opposition to the proposal while criticizing FIFA's handling of the decision-making process.
The move represents another major political setback for Infantino, whose leadership is facing growing scrutiny from member associations around the world.
A Bloc of 143 Member Associations Now Opposes the Plan
FIFA needs the support of a majority of its 211 member associations to approve the creation of a new company that would oversee the commercial management of the FIFA World Cup and other competitions.
However, with UEFA's 55 members, Concacaf's 41, and now the AFC's 47 all standing against the proposal, a combined bloc of 143 associations now opposes the plan, making its approval increasingly unlikely.
The growing coalition leaves Infantino with little room to maneuver and raises the prospect of a significant defeat for FIFA's current administration.
AFC Raises Concerns Over FIFA's Governance
In its official statement, the AFC expressed solidarity with UEFA and Concacaf, saying it shares their concerns regarding the governance, transparency, and consultation process surrounding the proposal.
The confederation also criticized the fact that many member associations reportedly learned about the project through media reports rather than directly from FIFA.
The AFC further warned that the mere possibility of a boycott of the FIFA World Cup should concern everyone who cares about the future of the game.
What Is FIFA's Proposal?
The plan calls for the creation of a new entity known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would oversee the commercial management of the FIFA World Cup and other FIFA competitions.
FIFA would then sell a 20 percent stake in the company to private investors. According to The Independent, Thrive Eternal, the investment group led by Joshua Kushner, has emerged as the leading candidate to acquire that stake.
Although FIFA has attempted to clarify certain aspects of the proposal, UEFA, Concacaf, and now the AFC all argue that key concerns surrounding governance, institutional decision-making, and meaningful consultation with member associations remain unresolved.
