Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa condemned FIFA on July 30, 2026, over its lack of consultation regarding a $20 billion commercial subsidiary plan for the World Cup. Sheikh Salman called the move totally unacceptable and warned that the initiative requires support from all regional confederations.
Global opposition to FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s push to spin off tournament revenue into a private equity vehicle intensified on Thursday as regional soccer leaders mobilized against the proposal. The plan, which was revealed in late July 2026, aims to establish the FIFA Forward Enterprise subsidiary with $4.2 billion of private equity underwritten by New York investment vehicle Thrive Eternal, created by Joshua Kushner.
The backlash was immediate across multiple regional blocs. The Asian Football Confederation, representing 47 member national federations across Asia, the Middle East, and Australia, delivered a sharp rebuke to the global governing body.
Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa Denounces FIFA’s Lack of Consultation
Writing to regional federations on Thursday, July 30, 2026, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa slammed the global governing body for blindsiding member associations with the commercial spinoff. The Kuala Lumpur-based confederation stressed that it received no advance notice or financial models before the public rollout.
“The AFC notes with great concern and disappointment that it was not consulted by FIFA at any level prior to the public announcement of this proposal, and nor has it received any detailed governance, financial or legal analysis of the proposal and its potential repercussions, which is totally unacceptable.”
Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Asian Football Confederation
The Bahraini official warned that unilateral maneuvering from FIFA threatens the core structure of international football. FIFA’s unilateral actions appear to undermine the very foundations of continental football,
Sheikh Salman wrote, noting that the sport relies on cooperation, solidarity, and transparency.
Financial Incentives and the September 19 Deadline
Infantino moved quickly to secure buy-in from FIFA’s 211 member associations, dispatching letters earlier in the week detailing substantial financial packages. Associations were told they would receive $40 million each if they agree to the proposal by a strict September 19 deadline.
Under the revised financial pitch, basic funding for the next four years would double from $10 million to $20 million upon approving the new commercial entity. Infantino projected that total FIFA funding through 2038 would reach $86 million per association, a significant jump from the baseline of about $36 million.
Despite the monetary incentives, regional leaders balked at the acceleration. Sheikh Salman questioned the tight turnaround given to member associations, arguing that sweeping structural overhauls should never be rushed.
Global Resistance Across UEFA and CONCACAF
Asia’s opposition aligns with mounting resistance across Europe and North America. UEFA organized an online strategy meeting for its 55 national members on Thursday to coordinate pushback. CONCACAF, representing 35 members across North and Central America and the Caribbean, also criticized the lack of due process.
Next Steps and the Path to the September Vote
With opposition building across multiple continents, Sheikh Salman asserted that the private equity initiative will not succeed without the backing of all the confederations. He urged Asian member federations to hold off on taking any formal stance until the AFC completes direct consultations with FIFA.
Whether the resistance from Europe and Asia can stall Infantino’s financial restructuring before the September 19 deadline remains the central battleground for global football governance.