The Asian Football Confederation announced its solidarity with its European counterpart and CONCACAF to protect the World Cup against FIFA's proposal to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise.
The European confederation had previously announced that its national teams would boycott FIFA competitions "as long as these proposals remain in place." (See details)
FIFA had previously announced its intention to launch a company called FIFA Forward Enterprise valued at $20 billion, to be invested in with minority non-controlling stakes, which was rejected by the European, North American, and Asian confederations. (See details)
The Asian Football Confederation's statement read as follows:
The Asian Football Confederation has been following with great concern the developments of the past few days regarding the proposed establishment of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) and the resulting state of uncertainty within the global football community.
The confederation affirms its solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF in expressing their serious concerns about FIFA's proposal to introduce private investment into its major tournaments, as well as the decision-making mechanism related to FIFA Forward Enterprise. The AFC believes that the situation reaching a point where a potential World Cup boycott is being discussed publicly should concern anyone who cares about the future of the game, as football should never have reached such a state.
In light of this, and given the clear positions announced by both UEFA and CONCACAF, in addition to the unprecedented divisions that have emerged within the global football family, the AFC believes that the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal cannot realistically achieve the consensus and unity necessary to move forward. The World Cup represents the pinnacle of global football and draws its strength from the participation of all continental confederations and the world's top national teams. Any proposal that threatens the unity and global character of the tournament must be reconsidered.
Although the current discussion centers on FIFA Forward Enterprise, the AFC views the issue as extending beyond this specific proposal, as it has revealed fundamental weaknesses in FIFA's consultation and decision-making mechanisms—issues that must be addressed now. Despite taking note of FIFA's recent clarification on the proposal, the core concerns regarding governance, institutional procedures, and genuine consultation remain unanswered.
The AFC stresses that a proposal of this magnitude, which could affect the commercial, sporting, and strategic future of global football, should not emerge through procedures that leave continental confederations, member national associations, and even FIFA's own governing bodies—including the FIFA Council—feeling marginalized. The primary goal of global football must be to ensure that decisions of this scale are prepared through transparent procedures that enjoy the confidence of the football community.
The AFC notes that this is not the first time key stakeholders in the game have been confronted with major initiatives after their course appears to have already been determined. It believes that such an approach undermines confidence in FIFA's governance framework and weakens the standing of its statutory bodies. Any subsequent consultation process, regardless of the intentions behind it, cannot replace the involvement of FIFA's competent bodies and the football family from the earliest stages.
The AFC believes that this moment should serve as a catalyst for strengthening institutional reform. While every FIFA member national association should have the opportunity to study and take a position on proposals that affect the future of global football, true democracy is not measured merely by the opportunity to vote; it begins with transparent governance, timely consultation, informed deliberation, and genuine participation throughout the decision-making process.
Accordingly, the AFC calls on FIFA to conduct an urgent review of its governance framework and decision-making mechanisms to ensure that proposals of global significance are prepared through sound consultation, genuine participation, and appropriate oversight by FIFA's statutory bodies.
The AFC concludes its statement by affirming that the World Cup, and football itself, belong to the entire global football family, and that their future must always be shaped collectively through institutions that reflect the voices of all continental confederations and member national associations.
AFC stands in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF following recent developments surrounding the proposed establishment of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).https://t.co/k7MjAvWOhX@theafcdotcom
A fiery battle.. Everything you need to know about FIFA's new company? And why UEFA rejects it while CAF discusses it
CONCACAF officially rejected FIFA's proposal. (See details)
