CONCACAF, AFC join UEFA to reject FIFA World Cup stakes sale proposal

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have joined calls to reject FIFA’s efforts to sell World Cup stakes to private investors.

Both confederations noted that they share the same sentiments as the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), insisting the proposal does not serve the best interests of football.

In a statement, the AFC declared its full support for UEFA’s position, even backing the possibility of boycotting FIFA competitions in protest.

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“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,” portions of the AFC statement read.

CONCACAF also publicly rejected the deal, expressing full support for UEFA’s resistance and stressing the need to protect football from external influence.

FIFA, meanwhile, is preparing to create a new commercial company, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which will house some of its most valuable revenue streams, including broadcast rights, sponsorship deals, licensing, ticketing, and hospitality.

The plan is to sell a minority stake of up to 20 percent in the new entity to private investors, while FIFA retains majority ownership and control. The proposed move, which values the new company at around $20 billion, has triggered widespread debate across football.

This has sparked global backlash, with FIFA yet to officially announce its next steps.

SB/JKB

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