Asian Football Confederation opposes Fifa minority-stake proposal
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said Gianni Infantino is “the wrong man” to lead Fifa, following mounting opposition to proposals to sell minority stakes in football competitions to private investors. The Asian Football Confederation has joined Uefa and Concacaf in opposing the plan, arguing it could undermine the World Cup’s unity and universal character.
The AFC criticised Fifa for insufficient consultation and called for an urgent governance review. Senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned, describing the proposal as a “bad deal for football”; if the three confederations’ members follow their positions, 136 of Fifa’s 211 members would oppose it, exceeding the 106 votes needed to block the proposal.
- Asian football joins opposition to Fifa’s private-investment proposal.
- Burnham criticises Infantino’s leadership.
- Resignation and voting numbers make approval unlikely.
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Fifa is football’s world governing body, organising major tournaments including the men’s and women’s World Cups. Its 211 national member associations are grouped into six regional confederations, which help run the game in their parts of the world.
The proposal concerns selling a minority share in the commercial rights to some Fifa competitions to private investors. Supporters see outside investment as a way to raise funds, while critics are concerned about how it could affect control of tournaments and future income.
The Asian Football Confederation represents national associations across Asia, while Uefa covers Europe and Concacaf covers North and Central America and the Caribbean. Their positions matter because Fifa decisions are made by member associations, and the three regions together represent a large share of the vote.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters could argue that carefully structured minority investment would unlock capital and commercial expertise to improve Fifa competitions, broaden their reach and fund development across member associations without relinquishing control. They may see private partners as a way to make existing assets work harder while protecting the World Cup’s rules, governance and universal access through firm contractual safeguards. The underlying value is using responsible investment to strengthen football’s long-term resources and opportunities worldwide.
The case against
Opponents could argue that selling stakes in football’s most important competitions risks putting short-term investor returns ahead of a global public sporting good. They may contend that the World Cup’s universal character, affordability and future revenues should not be diluted through an arrangement developed without sufficiently meaningful consultation with member associations. The underlying value is preserving democratic stewardship of football and keeping its defining competitions fully accountable to the global game rather than private financial interests.
More coverage
- The Guardian — Asian football chiefs join Uefa and Concacaf as backlash grows after Fifa presses on with World Cup plans
- Variety — World Cup Boycott Backed by All 55 UEFA Countries as Asian, North and Central American, Caribbean Members Oppose FIFA Stake Sale
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Originally published by BBC Sport as “Asian confederation joins Uefa and Concacaf in opposing Fifa plan”.