Gianni Infantino’s plans for the FIFA World Cup appear headed for defeat after the Asian Football Confederation joined European and North, Central American and Caribbean football bodies in opposing the proposal. The AFC published a statement saying it “stands in solidarity” with its counterparts, dealing a significant blow to the FIFA president’s ambitions.
The AFC declared that Infantino’s plan could not “realistically achieve the necessary broad consensus and unity required to move forward”, warning that “any proposal that risks undermining the unity and universal character of the competition must be reconsidered”. The confederation also accused FIFA of setting the “direction of travel” for a “significant initiative” before consulting stakeholders, saying the failure to do so had “exposed fundamental weaknesses in FIFA’s consultation and decision-making processes”.
The numbers now appear to be firmly against Infantino. The FIFA president had indicated a straight majority of 106 of FIFA’s 211 members would be needed to pass the proposal. UEFA holds 55 votes, Concacaf 35, and Asia 46 — meaning if all member associations back their governing body’s position, 136 nations would vote against the plan.
Carlos Cordeiro, a FIFA senior adviser for four years and 11 months, resigned in the wake of the growing opposition, branding the proposal “a bad deal for football” that would “mortgage football’s future”. The AFC echoed those concerns, stating that the World Cup “derives its strength from the participation of all Confederations and the world’s leading football nations” and that its future “must always be shaped collectively, through institutions that reflect the voices of all Confederations and member associations”.
The AFC also criticised FIFA for leaving “confederations, member associations and even FIFA’s own governing bodies, including the FIFA Council, feeling sidelined” — a damning assessment that piles further pressure on Infantino as opposition to his plans continues to grow.
Image credit: BBC Sport / BBC Sport
