The Asian Football Confederation has thrown its weight behind UEFA and CONCACAF in rejecting FIFA’s proposal to allow private investors to acquire stakes in its major competitions, further intensifying opposition to the governing body’s controversial commercial restructuring plans.
In a statement issued on Friday, the AFC declared its support for the positions already taken by UEFA and CONCACAF, arguing that FIFA’s proposal, championed by President Gianni Infantino, lacks the broad consensus needed for a decision of such global significance.
According to the continental body, the FIFA World Cup remains the flagship event of world football because of its inclusive nature, bringing together teams from every confederation.
It warned that any initiative capable of weakening the tournament’s universal identity or unity should be reconsidered.
The AFC’s opposition significantly reduces the chances of the proposal securing approval if eventually subjected to a vote.
FIFA’s 211 member associations would require a simple majority of at least 106 votes to endorse the plan.
UEFA and CONCACAF collectively represent 90 member associations, while the AFC adds another 46, creating a formidable bloc against the proposal.
READ ALSO: NFF, AFC Toronto Back Okoronkwo After Racist Abuse Over Morocco Hotel Theft
Beyond rejecting the plan itself, the Asian confederation criticised FIFA’s consultation process, saying key stakeholders were not adequately involved before the proposal was unveiled.
The body argued that the handling of the proposal exposed shortcomings in FIFA’s governance and decision-making structures, alleging that confederations, member associations and even FIFA’s own statutory organs, including the FIFA Council, had been sidelined.
It called on the world football governing body to urgently review its governance framework to ensure that future decisions with global implications are developed through wider consultation, meaningful engagement and proper oversight.
The AFC’s announcement follows similar resistance from UEFA and CONCACAF. UEFA warned on Thursday that it could boycott future FIFA World Cups should the proposal move forward, while CONCACAF confirmed that all 41 of its member associations had unanimously rejected the initiative.
Despite the mounting backlash, FIFA has insisted it will continue with discussions on the proposal. The organisation maintained on Friday that it was “not selling football” and argued that creating a commercial subsidiary to manage its flagship competitions would strengthen commercial operations without compromising the governance or integrity of the sport.
Under the proposal, FIFA intends to establish a commercial entity responsible for overseeing major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup, with external investors permitted to purchase stakes in the business.
While FIFA believes the model will enhance revenue generation and commercial efficiency, critics contend that the plan has been advanced without sufficient consultation and could undermine the governance structure and collective interests of global football.
South American football governing body CONMEBOL has yet to publicly declare its position on the proposal, while the Confederation of African Football and the Oceania Football Confederation are expected to deliberate on the matter during meetings scheduled for August.