The Asian Football Confederation has voiced disappointment after FIFA confirmed plans to sell stakes in its leading competitions. The AFC, based in Kuala Lumpur, said it had not been consulted before the governing body moved ahead with the investment proposal.
FIFA's plan has triggered concern because it involves bringing outside investment into some of football's biggest events. While the full structure of the proposal was not detailed in the available report, the reaction from Asia's governing body shows unease over how such a major commercial decision was handled.
The announcement also drew a sharp response from UEFA. European football's governing body said the World Cup should not be treated as an asset to be traded, underscoring wider resistance to the idea of selling stakes in flagship tournaments.
The split reaction from the AFC and UEFA highlights growing tension over FIFA's commercial strategy and decision-making process. With two major confederations publicly critical, the debate over investment in global football competitions is likely to remain a significant issue.
