FIFA president Infantino’s proposal to sell stakes in tournaments to private investors has faced opposition from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the same as UEFA and CONCACAF. The AFC’s statement, released Friday, declares it stands in solidarity with its European and North‑American counterparts and argues that the plan fails to achieve the broad consensus needed. The proposal would require a straight majority—106 of FIFA’s 211 members—to pass, a threshold unlikely to be met.

The AFC accused FIFA of setting a “significant initiative” without proper consultation, citing weaknesses in decision‑making. It called for a review of FIFA’s governance and for proposals of global importance to be developed through meaningful engagement. UEFA had already voted to boycott World Cups if the plan proceeded, and CONCACAF, the host of this year’s tournament, issued a similar rejection.

FIFA has committed to continue with the plan, creating a commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to host major events and allow emagged minority, non‑controlling investments. The proposal, outlined in a 25‑page JP Morgan report, projects a payout of 24 million euros per member association for the 2035‑2039 cycle.

The plan remains controversial, with concerns about consultation and the potential commodification of the World Cup.