Asian confederation joins Uefa and Concacaf in opposing Fifa plan

What the report says

BBC Sport Football reports that the Asian Football Confederation has joined Uefa and Concacaf in opposing a Fifa proposal to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors. In a statement issued on Friday, the AFC said it “stands in solidarity” with the other confederations and argued that Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s plan is unlikely to secure the broad agreement needed to proceed.

According to the BBC, the AFC warned that the World Cup’s status depends on participation across all confederations and leading football nations, and said any proposal that could weaken the tournament’s unity or global character should be reconsidered. The report says the AFC’s position makes it unlikely the plan would be approved by members if it were put to a vote.

The Asian governing body also criticised Fifa’s process, saying the organisation had again set the direction for a major initiative before adequately consulting stakeholders. The AFC said confederations, member associations and even Fifa bodies such as the Fifa Council had been left feeling sidelined, and called for an urgent review of Fifa’s governance and decision-making framework.

The development matters because opposition from Asia adds to resistance from two other major regional bodies, creating a significant obstacle for any plan to bring private investment into Fifa competitions. The BBC article was published on 31 July 2026 and marked as a developing story, with further details expected.