Asian Football Confederation — continental governing body that opposed FIFA's private investment plan for World Cup operations alongside UEFA and CONCACAF.
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Citizen Digital
… European football's ruling body UEFA said the World Cup was not an "asset to trade", while the Asian Football Confederation said it had not been consulted. …
Fifa offers Ksh 5.2billion if nations back controversial planThe Standard
… European football's governing body UEFA said the World Cup was not an "asset to trade" while the Asian Football Confederation said it had not been consulted.EU sports chief Glenn Micallef told FIFA on Wednesday: "Hands off our game." According to The Times on Wednesday, FIFA pres …
FIFA issues deadline to members over plan to sell Sh517 billion stakeCitizen Digital
… Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa has also voiced opposition, questioning last year where further expansion might end. …
How a 64-team World Cup could transform soccer's economicsCitizen Digital
… Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa agreed, saying further expansion would bring "chaos". …
Infantino opens door to 64-team World CupCitizen Digital
… The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) both said they will back Infantino, who confirmed on Thursday at FIFA's Congress in Vancouver that he will run for re-election in 2027. …
Infantino re-election boost after securing Asia, Africa backingCitizen Digital
… The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have both said they will back Infantino if, as expected, he stands for a fourth term in 2027. …
Infantino confirms Iran will play World Cup games in USFIFA has accused UEFA of a "smear campaign" and "fishing expedition" after UEFA asked US judges to force FIFA to disclose documents related to its failed plan to secure private investment in World Cup tournaments. UEFA has threatened possible legal action against FIFA president Gianni Infantino for alleged "criminal mismanagement" over the scrapped investor plan.
4 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA has accused UEFA of a "smear campaign" and "fishing expedition" after UEFA asked US judges to force FIFA to disclose documents related to its failed plan to secure private investment in World Cup tournaments. UEFA has threatened possible legal action against FIFA president Gianni Infantino for alleged "criminal mismanagement" over the scrapped investor plan.
4 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Saudi Arabia's Football Federation expressed support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino and welcomed his joint statement with Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom acknowledging mistakes and abandoning a plan to bring private financing into the World Cup, which had triggered global opposition.
27 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Former Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o has backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino, saying he "hasn't done anything wrong" despite intense scrutiny over a failed private investment proposal for FIFA tournaments including the World Cup. UEFA and other federations have withdrawn support and threatened boycotts over the controversial plan.
24 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino's chief operating officer Kevin Lamour has departed after breaking ranks with senior FIFA directors and criticizing Infantino's plan to bring private investment into FIFA competitions, including World Cups. Lamour had refused to sign off on the deal and described it as "the project of one person."
18 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
A split within Asian football deepened after the region's top official hit back at Qatar's challenge over the confederation's move to join UEFA and CONCACAF in criticizing FIFA president Gianni Infantino over his failed plan to bring private investment into FIFA competitions. Qatar's football chief said neither he nor the QFA had been consulted before the joint statement was issued.
18 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Qatar challenged the Asian Football Confederation over its decision to join UEFA and CONCACAF in an open letter attacking FIFA President Gianni Infantino, saying it was not consulted before the three confederations issued the statement.
15 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino lost UEFA's "confidence" after withdrawing a plan to allow private investment in the World Cup, prompting the European body to reiterate a boycott threat. While the Confederation of African Football backed Infantino, CONMEBOL and UEFA criticized him over the cancelled financing scheme.
7 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino abandoned a plan to bring private finance into the World Cup after UEFA threatened to boycott tournaments, but UEFA said on Thursday that not all of its conditions have been met and reiterated the boycott threat. CAF backed Infantino while CONMEBOL criticized him.
7 August 2026 · The Standard →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has lost UEFA's confidence after his plan to allow private investment in the World Cup triggered global backlash and calls for his resignation, despite FIFA withdrawing the proposal. His previously unopposed path to a fourth term in March's election has been significantly weakened.
5 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
New AC Milan coach Ruben Amorim has pledged to honour the legacy of club legend Franco Baresi, who died last week, as he seeks to revive the Italian club's fortunes. Amorim, who was sacked by Manchester United in January, faces Inter Milan in a derby match in Perth on Wednesday, with an immediate target of a top-four Serie A finish after the club missed Champions League qualification on the final day of last season.
4 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
New AC Milan coach Ruben Amorim has pledged to uphold the legacy of club legend Franco Baresi and aims for a top-four Serie A finish. Amorim, returning to coaching after his January sacking by Manchester United, faces Inter Milan in a derby in Perth on Wednesday and has secured veteran midfielder Luka Modric on a one-year extension.
4 August 2026 · The Standard →
Wales became the first nation to publicly withdraw support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino's re-election bid over his failed plan to allow private investment in the World Cup, which he withdrew after a global backlash.
3 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino came under fire from continental governing bodies after withdrawing a plan to allow private investment in the World Cup. UEFA said Infantino had lost their confidence through a "shabby, back room, opaque deal," while CONCACAF called for "a comprehensive reckoning with this presidency" and criticized his "poor governance and leadership."
2 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino abandoned a proposed plan to allow private investment in the World Cup following widespread opposition, including from UEFA and other football stakeholders. The plan, which would have retained FIFA's majority share in a new entity while raising $4.2 billion, sparked a furious global backlash within days of being made public.
1 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA is considering expanding the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams for the 2030 edition and plans to appoint an independent agency to assess the impact of this expansion on the tournament.
1 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the organization has abandoned a proposal to allow private investment in the World Cup following fierce opposition from football officials globally. The plan, floated on Tuesday, would have created a commercial subsidiary valued at $20 billion that could raise up to $4.2 billion.
1 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino vowed to proceed with consultation on a proposed private investment plan for the World Cup despite opposition from the Asian Football Confederation, UEFA, and CONCACAF. Senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro resigned in protest, stating he "cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup."
31 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA said on Friday it would continue consulting member associations on a proposed private investment plan for World Cup operations, even as UEFA pledged to boycott the World Cup and CONCACAF's 41 member associations rejected the proposal. FIFA's plan could raise up to $4.2 billion based on a $20 billion valuation of its commercial subsidiary FFE.
31 July 2026 · The Standard →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino's senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro resigned, opposing the organization's proposed private investment plan involving World Cup stakes. The Asian Football Confederation joined UEFA and CONCACAF in condemning the plan, noting that a World Cup boycott has entered public discourse.
31 July 2026 · The Standard →
The Confederation of African Football has called on its members to review FIFA's plan to sell stakes in major competitions including the World Cup through a new commercial subsidiary. FIFA aims to raise up to $4.2 billion by allowing private investors to acquire minority stakes in the entity.
30 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA has told member associations they will each receive $40 million if they back a plan to sell stakes in major competitions including the World Cup, with a September 19 deadline. The proposal has drawn criticism from UEFA and other bodies over commercializing major football events.
29 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA has told member associations they will each receive $40 million if they back a plan to sell stakes in major competitions including the World Cup, with a September 19 deadline for sign-up. The proposal, which would see FIFA set up a commercial subsidiary to run events, has sparked backlash from UEFA and the Asian Football Confederation, with some describing it as "pure bribery."
29 July 2026 · The Standard →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has acknowledged that a 64-team World Cup could be examined after the current 48-team tournament concludes. Expanding the tournament further would have significant logistical and financial implications, potentially reducing the commercial value of qualifying competition.
22 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino says the federation will examine a 64-team World Cup format after the 2026 tournament, citing the success of the current 48-team expansion and the need for the competition to be inclusive of all nations and regions.
13 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed his re-election candidacy for 2027 at FIFA's Congress in Vancouver, after securing pledges of support from the African Football Confederation and the Asian Football Confederation.
1 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino reaffirmed that Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup and play their games in the United States as scheduled, despite uncertainty stemming from Middle East tensions since February.
1 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →