Full Breakdown
AFC President Condemns FIFA’s Unconsulted World Cup Commercial Plan
7/30/2026, 8:08:37 PM
AFC President Condemns FIFA’s Unconsulted World Cup Commercial Plan
On July 30, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), sent a letter to the AFC’s 47 member national federations criticizing FIFA’s proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. He described the lack of prior consultation as “totally unacceptable” and warned that the move could undermine the continental football structure.
Background of FIFA’s Commercial Subsidiary Proposal
FIFA announced that it intends to create a $20 billion commercial subsidiary to manage the World Cup and related events. The proposal was presented without prior engagement with any of FIFA’s six confederations, including the AFC, which oversees club and national team competitions across Asia, the Middle East and Australia.
AFC’s Official Response and Request for Consultation
The AFC asked its members to defer any decision until further discussions with FIFA are completed.
Financial Stakes and Timeline
FIFA President Gianni Infantino sent a separate letter to all 211 football associations offering $40 million to each association that agrees to the proposal by September 19. Sheikh Salman argued that the tight deadline does not allow sufficient time for member associations to evaluate a proposal of such significance.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The AFC notes with great concern and disappointment that it was not consulted by FIFA at any level prior to the public announcement of this proposal,” — Sheikh Salman, football confederation president
- “The AFC is also surprised that the current timeline allows an extremely limited period for consideration of a proposal of such significance, when such decisions should never be rushed," wrote Sheikh Salman.” — Sheikh Salman. He
