Gianni Infantino on brink as Asian soccer chiefs reject shameless World Cup sale
Gianni Infantino on brink as Asian soccer chiefs reject shameless World Cup sale
Charlie Wilson Fri, July 31, 2026 at 5:06 PM UTC
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Gianni Infantino is under significant pressure -Credit:Carl Recine/Getty Images
Gianni Infantino's plans to sell off stakes in the World Cup went up in smoke on Friday after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) joined UEFA (Europe) and CONCACAF (South, North, Central America) in opposing the proposal.
Infantino is now in a precarious position as FIFA president - having been told he is now in a position in which he may need to apologize to stay in his role - after he began talks with billionaire investors and companies, seemingly at his own accord.
This came after Infantino saw his right-hand man quit on Friday, while criticizing the proposal to sell off the stakes and piling the pressure after his many World Cup controversies.
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The statement from the AFC read: "The AFC stands in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF in expressing serious concerns over FIFA’s proposal to introduce private investment into FIFA’s flagship competitions and the decision-making process around FFE.
"The fact that the situation has reached the point where the real possibility of a FIFA World Cup boycott has entered public discourse should concern everyone who cares about the future of our game. Football should never have been placed in such a position.
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"Against this backdrop, and in light of the clear positions expressed by UEFA and CONCACAF, as well as the unprecedented divisions that have emerged across the football world, the AFC believes that the proposed FFE cannot realistically achieve the necessary broad consensus and unity required to move forward.
Infantino struck up a friendship with Donald Trump throughout the World Cup -Credit:Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
"The FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle of global football and derives its strength from the participation of all Confederations and the world’s leading football nations. Any proposal that risks undermining the unity and universal character of the competition must be reconsidered."
Meanwhile, new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: "This was an outrageous suggestion.
"The idea that it could even be brought forward shows that, in my view, [he] is the wrong man to lead the organisation."
Gianni Infantino is under contract until 2027 -Credit: VCG/VCG via Getty Images
The AFC's position means that the plans are almost certainly to be rejected by FIFA, with it needing a majority to be passed.
They join UEFA and CONCACAF as standing against the proposal.
Infatino's former right-hand man, Carlos Cordeiro had stated "As a senior adviser to the FIFA president, a former banker, and a lifelong football fan, I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup.
"Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally. It is a bad deal for FIFA's Member Associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game."
Source: “AOL Sports”
