AFC Welcomes FIFA World Cup U-Turn

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has welcomed FIFA’s decision to abandon its controversial proposal to sell a stake in the commercial rights associated with the FIFA World Cup to private investors. At the same time, the continental governing body has urged FIFA to ensure greater transparency and broader consultation before introducing any initiative that could have a significant impact on global football.

AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa praised FIFA for reconsidering the proposal after widespread objections from football stakeholders. He stressed that decisions affecting the future of the world’s most popular sport should be taken only after meaningful dialogue with all relevant parties.

FIFA had planned to establish a new commercial entity and sell approximately 20 per cent of its shares to private investors. Through the proposed deal, football’s world governing body aimed to raise around US$4.2 billion. The new entity would have been responsible for managing the commercial operations and business interests of FIFA’s major competitions, including the FIFA World Cup.

The proposal, however, immediately drew criticism after it was presented earlier this week. The AFC, along with several other regional football confederations, argued that they had not been consulted before the plan was unveiled. Officials from the confederations expressed concern that such a significant structural and financial decision had been developed without prior engagement with key stakeholders who represent FIFA’s member associations across different regions.

Amid mounting criticism, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that the organisation had decided to withdraw the proposal after, in his words, “carefully listening” to the views expressed by the various football bodies.

Following the decision, Sheikh Salman issued a statement published on the AFC’s official platform, describing the withdrawal as a positive step while emphasising that the process surrounding such proposals must improve in the future.

He said that any initiative capable of influencing the global football landscape should be presented in a timely, transparent and effective manner to the regional confederations, the FIFA Council, member associations and other stakeholders. He added that sufficient time should always be provided for discussion and consultation before decisions of this magnitude are considered.

The AFC president also underlined that the future of world football should be shaped through constructive dialogue, collective decision-making and respect for the sport’s existing governance structure. According to him, preserving trust between FIFA and its member organisations is essential for maintaining unity within the global football community.

Earlier this week, Sheikh Salman had written to the AFC’s member associations, describing the manner in which FIFA introduced the proposal as “completely unacceptable”. His comments reflected concerns that governance reforms and commercial changes should not be pursued without appropriate consultation with those directly involved in the administration of the game.

Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the AFC is one of FIFA’s six continental confederations. It oversees international football across Asia, the Middle East and Australia, organising major competitions for both national teams and clubs. Given its role within world football, the AFC’s response carries considerable influence whenever major governance or commercial reforms are proposed.

The episode has highlighted the importance of transparency and consensus in the governance of international football. Observers believe FIFA’s decision to withdraw the proposal may encourage a more collaborative approach to future reforms, ensuring that major commercial initiatives are discussed openly before they are placed on the global football agenda.