The dispute over FIFA's controversial proposal to sell a stake tied to the commercial value of the World Cup has escalated into a serious governance crisis. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Concacaf have jointly accused FIFA leadership of undermining trust within the football community and have called for an independent investigation into the entire episode.
The three confederations issued a strongly worded open letter on Monday, criticising the manner in which FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his administration handled the proposal. They rejected FIFA's explanation that the controversy resulted merely from poor communication, arguing instead that it exposed deeper concerns about decision-making at the highest levels of world football.
“This is about something more fundamental: the integrity of the game, and the integrity of those elected to lead it,” the three confederations said.
They also questioned FIFA's decision to conduct an internal review, insisting that the investigation should instead be carried out by a completely independent third party.
The intervention comes despite FIFA abandoning the controversial proposal. Rather than putting the dispute to rest, the withdrawal has intensified scrutiny of Infantino's leadership and FIFA's governance structure.
THE PROPOSAL THAT TRIGGERED THE DISPUTE
The controversy began when FIFA proposed creating a new commercial entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise, and selling a minority stake in it to external investors.
The proposal was advanced through a shortened process that gave FIFA member associations limited time to examine the details. UEFA, AFC and Concacaf have argued that the process did not allow sufficient opportunity for proper scrutiny or consultation.
The confederations strongly objected to FIFA's characterisation of the controversy as a communication failure.
“FIFA's recent letter ... acknowledges that mistakes were made in the process. It treats this as a failure of communication, when what football witnessed was a failure of judgment,” they said.
They also stressed that their concerns were not primarily financial or related to the distribution of resources.
“This is not about money,” the letter stated, noting that the confederations had previously urged FIFA to use its existing reserves to increase investment in football development.
Their central concern, they said, was who should have the authority to make major decisions involving football's most valuable commercial asset and what process should be followed when doing so.
Although FIFA ultimately abandoned the proposal, the three confederations argued that simply withdrawing it was insufficient to resolve the wider governance concerns.
'A FUNDAMENTAL BREACH OF TRUST'
The strongest criticism was directed at the decision-making process surrounding the proposal.
UEFA, AFC and Concacaf highlighted a meeting in Morocco which, according to their account, was attended by only one elected FIFA official. They said no FIFA Council members or member associations were invited, while participation was limited to a select group from FIFA's management committee.
“This recent meeting ... only reinforces these concerns and represents a continuation of the very pattern of conduct that brought us to this moment,” they wrote.
The confederations described the attempt to sell an interest in the FIFA World Cup as a “profound failure of judgment” and a “fundamental breach of trust” with the institutions FIFA is meant to serve.
They called for the preservation of all relevant documents and records and insisted that FIFA's administration should have no involvement in the review.
“There is silence where there should be accountability, distance where there should be openness,” the letter said.
However, the pressure on Infantino extends beyond the World Cup stake controversy. FIFA has responded by describing what it called a “concerted and ongoing effort” to undermine its president, maintaining that Infantino continues to hold the mandate of FIFA's 211 member associations.
The response came amid increased scrutiny of Infantino's previous time at UEFA, including reports surrounding a severance payment made to a former female employee. UEFA confirmed that a departure payment had been made and said it complied with the regulations applicable at the time, while noting that the rules have since been strengthened. Infantino has firmly denied allegations concerning the nature of the relationship.
The political landscape remains divided. While UEFA has emerged as one of Infantino's strongest critics, he continues to receive significant backing from CONMEBOL and the Confederation of African Football, which has unanimously supported him. Mexico has also broken with Concacaf to back the FIFA president, while Argentina is among the national associations supporting him.
Infantino therefore faces an increasingly public political contest ahead of the FIFA presidential election in March 2027. UEFA, AFC and Concacaf have made their opposition clear, while FIFA maintains that any challenge to the presidency must be conducted in accordance with its statutes and established democratic procedures.
