AFC criticizes FIFA over World Cup investment plans

The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 30, 2026, 10:07 AM

Last updated Jul 30, 2026

AFC criticizes FIFA over World Cup investment plans

Summary

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has condemned FIFA for undermining football's foundations, accusing it of failing to consult confederations about plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. The criticism follows FIFA's agreement with Joshua Kushner's Thrive Capital, which aims to acquire 20% of a new company overseeing global tournament commercial rights. The AFC's president, Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa, communicated this sentiment in a letter to AFC’s 47 members on July 30, ahead of an emergency UEFA meeting scheduled for Thursday.

Source Links

The Guardian Sport

Key Details

•AFC claims FIFA did not consult confederations on investment plans
•FIFA has partnered with Thrive Capital for commercial rights
•AFC's letter was sent to 47 member associations
•UEFA will hold an emergency meeting to discuss the situation
•Meeting is set for Thursday, August 1, 2026

Latest Updates

10:07 AMThe Guardian Sport — Fifa ‘undermining the very foundations of football’, says AFC as Uefa talks loom

What they're saying

"
Asian Football Confederation may hold balance of power Uefa to hold emergency meeting on Thursday The Asian Football Confederation has accused Fifa of undermining the foundations of football by failing to consult the confederations over their plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors. In a letter sent on Thursday by president Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa to AFC’s 47 members, which has been seen by the Guardian, Fifa’s unilateral actions in doing a deal with Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Capital to buy 20% of a new company that would control the commercial rights of all global tournaments is roundly condemned. Continue reading...
— The Guardian Sportby Matt Hughes

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