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 the prospect of a World Cup boycott has become a serious concern for global football.
In a statement issued on Friday, the AFC said it was alarmed that the debate had escalated to the point where a potential boycott of the tournament was being publicly discussed.
“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 continental body said.
The AFC, which represents 47 member associations including Australia, China, Japan and Saudi Arabia, said it stands in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF over concerns about FIFA’s proposal.
The latest criticism came as Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, resigned in protest over the proposal.
Cordeiro, a former president of the United States Soccer Federation, described the plan as detrimental to football.
“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.
He argued that the proposal would be a bad deal for FIFA member associations, the sport and its long-term future.
The resignation came hours after FIFA reiterated its commitment to an “open and democratic” consultation process on the proposal, saying discussions had been affected by inaccurate media reports.
FIFA said it would continue consulting its 211 member associations to ensure every federation has the opportunity to make an informed decision.
The governing body announced earlier this week that the proposal could raise up to $4.2 billion, based on a valuation of $20 billion for the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a commercial subsidiary expected to manage competitions including the FIFA World Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
If approved, each FIFA member association would receive a one-off payment of $20 million in early 2027, 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 has strongly rejected the plan, warning that none of its member associations would participate in FIFA competitions while the proposal remains under consideration.
“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 shaped by investors seeking financial returns at the expense of the game’s stakeholders.
He said the interests of national associations, clubs, players and supporters must not become secondary to commercial considerations.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, however, has defended the proposal, describing it as a “golden opportunity” to accelerate the global development of football.
The proposal has also been unanimously rejected by CONCACAF’s 41 member associations, including the three co-hosts of the recent FIFA World Cup.
The growing opposition has intensified pressure on FIFA as it seeks support for one of the most significant commercial reforms in the history of world football.
