A senior adviser to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Carlos Cordeiro, has resigned amid mounting opposition to the world football governing body’s proposed investment plan, as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) became the latest continental body to reject the initiative.
Cordeiro stepped down from his advisory role after describing the proposal to sell minority stakes in FIFA’s commercial operations to private investors as “a bad deal for football,” warning that it would “mortgage football’s future.”
His resignation came as the AFC announced it was joining UEFA and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) in opposing the proposal, citing concerns over its implications for the governance and integrity of the global game.
In a statement, the AFC said it “stands in solidarity” with UEFA and Concacaf, arguing that the proposal could not “realistically achieve the necessary broad consensus and unity required to move forward.”
The Asian football governing body stressed that the FIFA World Cup derives its global appeal and strength from the participation of all six continental confederations and the world’s leading football nations, warning that any initiative capable of undermining the tournament’s unity and universal character should be reconsidered.
The growing resistance represents a significant setback for FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to establish a commercial investment structure that would allow private investors to acquire stakes in FIFA competitions.
With UEFA’s 55 member associations, Concacaf’s 35 members and the AFC’s 46 members now publicly opposed to the plan, a combined 136 of FIFA’s 211 member associations are aligned against the proposal.
The figure exceeds the 106 votes Infantino had indicated would be required to secure approval, casting fresh doubt over the future of the controversial investment initiative.
The latest developments have intensified pressure on FIFA to rethink the proposal as concerns continue to grow over its potential impact on the governance, independence and long-term future of world football.
