AFC joins UEFA and CONCACAF opposition to FIFA World Cup investment plan

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has joined UEFA and CONCACAF in condemning FIFA’s proposal to bring private investment into the commercial operation of the World Cup, warning that the dispute has escalated to the point where a boycott is now being discussed publicly.

The Kuala Lumpur-based AFC said it was “alarmed” by the development and expressed solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF, which have already rejected the plan.

“The AFC stands in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF in expressing serious concerns over FIFA’s proposal,” the organisation said.

“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,” it added.

The AFC represents 47 member associations, including Australia, China, Japan and Saudi Arabia.

The latest opposition came just hours after FIFA said it would continue with an “open and democratic” consultation process involving all of its 211 member associations.

The controversy also led to the resignation of Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to FIFA president Gianni Infantino and former head of the US Soccer Federation.

Cordeiro, who is also a former banker, issued a strongly worded statement announcing his departure.

“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 wrote.

“Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally.

“It is a bad deal for FIFA’s member associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game.”

FIFA has rejected the suggestion that the plan amounts to selling the World Cup.

“Nobody is selling football,” it said in a statement.

“This is not something FIFA would ever entertain.”

The governing body said it had taken note of feedback from UEFA and CONCACAF, the organisation responsible for football in North and Central America. CONCACAF said all 41 of its member associations had rejected the proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup’s business operations.

FIFA said the consultation had been “disrupted by incorrect media reports”, but insisted it would continue.

“We respect the feedback and concern aired in public and reaffirm our commitment to an open and democratic consultation,” FIFA said.

“We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that each (member association) has the ability to express its vote based on facts,” it added.

FIFA announced the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) on Tuesday. The commercial subsidiary would run events including the World Cup and Club World Cup, with the plan potentially raising up to $4.2bn based on a valuation of $20bn.

Under the proposal, private investors could buy minority stakes in the company. If approved, each of FIFA’s member associations could receive a one-off payment of $20m in early 2027, while funding for the 2027-2030 cycle could rise from $8m to $20m.

UEFA has threatened a boycott of FIFA competitions if the plan remains in place.

“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.

“None of our national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive,” it added.

Infantino described the initiative as a “golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally”. However, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, who boycotted the World Cup final in protest at FIFA, said the proposed structure had no place in football.

“Football’s future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return,” he said.

“Nor can the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players and supporters become subordinate to investor returns. Football cannot mortgage its future for financial gain.”

The European Union praised UEFA for “defending the integrity of the game”, while Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso also backed the European body. Alonso, a member of Spain’s 2010 World Cup-winning team, was speaking in Sydney during Chelsea’s pre-season tour.

“We have seen a great World Cup, and some things they (should) stay the same way. So it’s good to defend the interests from other people,” he said.

CONCACAF members, including the three co-hosts of the recent World Cup, unanimously rejected FIFA’s proposal on Thursday.

A major UEFA sponsor added a lighter note to the dispute by posting an advert referring to the drinks breaks used at the World Cup: “Time for a hydration break, Gianni? Probably”.