AFC Joins UEFA, CONCACAF in Rejecting Infantino’s World Cup Stake Sale Proposal.

AFC Joins UEFA, CONCACAF in Rejecting Infantino’s World Cup Stake Sale Proposal

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has joined UEFA and CONCACAF in firmly opposing FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to allow private investors to acquire a stake in the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup, deepening the growing resistance against the controversial plan.

In a statement released, the AFC expressed “deep concern” over both the proposal and the decision making process surrounding FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), the new commercial entity through which FIFA hopes to attract private investment while retaining governance control.

The confederation said it stands in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF, arguing that the World Cup’s strength lies in its universal nature and warning that any proposal capable of dividing global football should be reconsidered. The AFC also called for greater transparency and broader consultation before any such initiative moves forward.

The latest opposition follows UEFA’s unanimous rejection of the plan, with the European governing body describing the World Cup as a sporting legacy that should never become an investment product. CONCACAF has also criticised the lack of due process and consultation surrounding the proposal.

FIFA, however, has defended the initiative, insisting that it would maintain full control over football governance while using additional commercial revenue to significantly increase funding for its 211 member associations through the FIFA Forward programme.