AFC Welcomes FIFA Decision to U-Turn on World Cup Sale

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has welcomed FIFA’s decision to abandon a controversial proposal to sell a minority stake in the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup to private investors.

Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, President of the AFC, expressed approval of the retreat but issued a firm warning regarding the future governance of global football. He emphasised that any future initiatives capable of altering the landscape of the sport must be handled with utmost transparency and thorough consultation among key stakeholders.

Under the initial plan, FIFA intended to establish a new commercial entity and sell an estimated 20 per cent stake to private investors. The governing body aimed to raise roughly $4.2 billion through the transaction. This proposed unit would have taken over the management of commercial and operational activities for FIFA’s marquee tournaments, most notably the Men’s World Cup.

However, the proposal faced swift and fierce pushback from regional confederations, including the AFC, immediately after it was unveiled on Tuesday. Continental governing bodies expressed deep frustration, revealing that FIFA had formulated the deal in secrecy without prior notice or formal consultation.

Following intense backlash, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the withdrawal of the proposal, citing the need to “listen attentively” to the concerns raised across the football community.

Reacting to the reversal, Sheikh Salman issued an official letter on the AFC website outlining the confederation’s position on global football governance.

“Moving forward, any initiative that impacts the global game must be presented to the confederations, the FIFA Council, member associations, and other stakeholders in a timely, transparent, and effective manner,” Sheikh Salman stated. He added that the future of world football should always be built on constructive dialogue, collective consultation, and respect for existing structural frameworks.

In a separate communication dispatched to member associations on Thursday, Sheikh Salman described the manner in which FIFA originally introduced the plan as “entirely unacceptable.”

Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the AFC is one of six continental confederations operating under FIFA. It serves as the governing body for national team and club competitions across Asia, the Middle East, and Australia.