The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has joined UEFA and CONCACAF in opposing FIFA’s proposed private investment plan for the FIFA World Cup, warning that growing calls for a potential boycott signal a serious threat to the future of global football.
The latest setback for FIFA President Gianni Infantino came as senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned in protest, saying he could not support plans to sell a stake in the World Cup’s commercial operations.
The AFC said it stood “in solidarity” with UEFA and CONCACAF, expressing deep concern over the proposal and the divisions it has created across world football.
“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 AFC said in a statement.
The Kuala Lumpur-based confederation, which represents 47 member associations including Australia, China, Japan and Saudi Arabia, backed calls for FIFA to reconsider the proposal.
Senior Adviser Quits Over Proposal
Cordeiro, a former president of the US Soccer Federation, described the investment proposal as damaging to football’s long-term future.
“As a senior advisor to the FIFA president, a former banker, and a lifelong football fan, I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup,” he said.
“It is a bad deal for FIFA’s member associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game.”
He stressed that he had no role in developing the proposal and opposed it “unequivocally.”
FIFA Defends Consultation Process
Despite the growing backlash, FIFA said it would continue with what it described as an “open and democratic” consultation involving all 211 member associations.
In a statement, the world football governing body rejected claims that it was selling football.
“Nobody is selling football. This is not something FIFA would ever entertain.”
FIFA acknowledged concerns raised by UEFA and CONCACAF but insisted every member association should have the opportunity to examine the proposal before any decision is made.
The organisation also argued that the consultation had been disrupted by what it described as inaccurate media reports.
Investment Plan Worth $4.2 Billion
FIFA said the proposal could raise up to $4.2 billion, based on a valuation of $20 billion for the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), the commercial entity proposed to manage competitions including the FIFA World Cup and Club World Cup.
If approved, each of FIFA’s 211 member associations would receive a one-off payment of $20 million next year, while funding for the 2027-2030 cycle would increase from $8 million to $20 million.
Under the proposal, private investors would be allowed to acquire minority stakes in the company.
UEFA Threatens World Cup Boycott
UEFA has taken the strongest position so far, warning that its member associations would refuse to participate in FIFA competitions if the proposal proceeds.
“The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale,” UEFA said.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin argued that football’s future should not be driven by investor profits.
“Football’s future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return.”
His position has received support from the European Union, while Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso also backed UEFA’s stance, saying football should preserve the values that have made the World Cup successful.
Meanwhile, CONCACAF confirmed that all 41 of its member associations had unanimously rejected FIFA’s proposal, further intensifying pressure on the governing body.
