AFC backs FIFA decision to abandon World Cup investor plans
4 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 1, 2026, 3:05 PM
Last updated Aug 1, 2026
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) applauded FIFA's decision to halt its controversial plans to invite private investors into World Cup oversight. This decision follows strong opposition from several confederations, including UEFA and CONCACAF, who criticized the lack of consultation. FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced that the initiative, which faced backlash for creating divisions among the 211 member associations, would not proceed. Infantino aims to unify stakeholders and continue growing football globally. Further input from other confederations remains pending.
- •AFC president supports FIFA's abandonment of World Cup investment plans
- •Plans faced opposition from UEFA and CONCACAF due to lack of consultation
- •Infantino's leadership questioned as criticism mounts ahead of elections
- •No majority support from 211 FIFA members contributed to project cancellation
- 3:05 PMYahoo Sports — Asian confederation joined UEFA and Concacaf in rejecting FIFA’s World Cup sell-off plan before Infantino u-turn
- 11:48 AMYahoo Sports — 'Shabby' FIFA investor deal scrapped but more pressure on Infantino
- 9:18 AMYahoo Sports — Asia welcomes end of World Cup investor plans in big Infantino defeat
- 8:48 AMYahoo Sports — Asian football body welcomes FIFA scrapping World Cup investor plans
"The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has welcomed the decision by FIFA to scrap World Cup investor plans after fierce backlash against the ruling body and its president, Gianni Infantino. The AFC had joined Europe's UEFA and the CONCACAF confederation for North and Central America and the Caribbean in rejecting the FIFA plans to sell minority stakes in a planned company overseeing its commercial rights and tournament operations to private investors.
"The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has welcomed the decision by the ruling body FIFA to scrap World Cup investor plans after fierce opposition. The AFC had joined Europe's UEFA and the CONCACAF confederation for North and Central America and the Caribbean in rejecting the FIFA plans to sell minority stakes in a planned company overseeing its commercial rights and tournament operations to private investors.
"Gianni Infantino may have scrapped World Cup investor plans but that is far from the end of a debate on the ruling body FIFA and even more on its beleaguered president. European body UEFA and the Asian confederation AFC welcomed the decision itself but said that a lot of damage has been done during the just over 80 hours between FIFA's original announcement on Tuesday and the end of the plan early Saturday.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 1, 2026, 3:05 PMAsian confederation joined UEFA and Concacaf in rejecting FIFA’s World Cup sell-off plan before Infantino u-turn
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) were the last to join UEFA and CONCACAF in the revolt against FIFA’s plan to sell the World Cup before the proposal was abandoned, talkSPORT reports.The AFC’...
- Yahoo SportsAug 1, 2026, 11:48 AM'Shabby' FIFA investor deal scrapped but more pressure on Infantino
Gianni Infantino may have scrapped World Cup investor plans but that is far from the end of a debate on the ruling body FIFA and even more on its beleaguered president. European body UEFA and the Asian confederation AFC welcomed the decision itself but said that a lot of damage has been done during the just over 80 hours between FIFA's original announcement on Tuesday and the end of the plan early Saturday.
- Yahoo SportsAug 1, 2026, 9:18 AMAsia welcomes end of World Cup investor plans in big Infantino defeat
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has welcomed the decision by FIFA to scrap World Cup investor plans after fierce backlash against the ruling body and its president, Gianni Infantino. The AFC had joined Europe's UEFA and the CONCACAF confederation for North and Central America and the Caribbean in rejecting the FIFA plans to sell minority stakes in a planned company overseeing its commercial rights and tournament operations to private investors.
- Yahoo SportsAug 1, 2026, 8:48 AMAsian football body welcomes FIFA scrapping World Cup investor plans
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has welcomed the decision by the ruling body FIFA to scrap World Cup investor plans after fierce opposition. The AFC had joined Europe's UEFA and the CONCACAF confederation for North and Central America and the Caribbean in rejecting the FIFA plans to sell minority stakes in a planned company overseeing its commercial rights and tournament operations to private investors.
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