See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy BOBBY MANZI, FOOTBALL REPORTER Published: 09:21 BST, 31 July 2026 | Updated: 09:42 BST, 31 July 2026
Gianni Infantino’s divisive plan to sell stakes in the World Cup appears to be dead after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) joined UEFA and CONCACAF in opposing the plot. Overnight, FIFA issued a statement, doubling down on plans to sell £3.1 billion in shares for FIFA tournaments after UEFA announced a boycott of competitions and CONCACAF - the North, Central, American and Caribbean federation - opposed the plans.But the AFC has now chosen to stand with their intercontinental counterparts, leaving Infantino's project - and potentially his FIFA presidency - facing a terminal threat.136 FIFA members are now publicly opposed to the proposals, bringing the dissidents above the required 106 threshold to block the plans.In a statement, the AFC said: ‘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. Gianni Infantino's controversial plan to sell off the World Cup appears to be dead in the water after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) joined UEFA and CONCACAF in opposing the plot
