Infantino private stake plan drew a sharp rebuke from Andy Burnham as the Asian Football Confederation and others warned it could undermine football’s future.
Andy Burnham has emerged as one of the sharpest critics of Gianni Infantino’s private stake plan, saying the Fifa president is “the wrong man” to lead the sport’s world governing body. The dispute deepened on Friday as the Asian Football Confederation joined Europe and Concacaf in rejecting the proposal, while one of Infantino’s senior advisers resigned and called the scheme a bad deal for football.
Burnham, speaking to reporters, said the idea of selling stakes in Fifa competitions to private investors was outrageous. He said the fact the plan was even brought forward raised serious doubts about Infantino’s leadership. The comments came after the AFC said it stood in solidarity with its counterparts and warned the proposal could not realistically win the broad support needed to move ahead.
The AFC said the Fifa World Cup is the top event in global football and argued that its strength comes from the full participation of the world’s confederations and leading national teams. It said any move that could weaken the competition’s unity and universal character should be reconsidered. The confederation also accused Fifa of pushing a major initiative before properly consulting stakeholders and said its own members and governing bodies had been left sidelined.
That criticism landed just after Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino’s senior adviser on global strategy and governance, quit his post. Cordeiro said he had “unequivocally” opposed the plan and rejected the idea that outside investors were needed to unlock greater value. He wrote that Fifa’s duty was to protect and strengthen football for future generations, not maximize commercial returns at any cost.
“Infantino private stake plan drew a sharp rebuke from Andy Burnham as the Asian Football Confederation and others warned it could undermine football’s future.”
Cordeiro also questioned why the deal was being pursued, why it was being rushed, what oversight would exist, and who would benefit. He said member associations were being asked to make a decision with enormous consequences in barely 50 days. Fifa said it would continue with the plan, while adding that nobody is selling football. The governing body also claimed the consultation process had been disrupted by incorrect media reports.
The clash centers on Fifa’s proposal to create a commercial subsidiary to run its biggest events, including the World Cup, and to allow outside investors to buy minority, non-controlling stakes. According to the structure set out by Fifa, the new entity would be called Fifa Forward Enterprise. A document prepared by JP Morgan says the tournaments would be expanded to produce an estimated increased payout of 24 million euros per member association in the 2035-2039 cycle.
The numbers matter because Fifa is asking its 211 members to weigh a plan that needs a simple majority to pass, meaning 106 votes. Uefa has 55 votes, Concacaf 35 and Asia 46. If member associations follow their confederations, 136 nations would be lined up against the proposal. Uefa has already voted to boycott World Cups if the plan goes ahead, and Concacaf has also rejected it.
There is still support in some quarters for any plan that could increase funding. A Uganda football official told BBC World Service that many associations, especially in Africa, depend on Fifa money for infrastructure and grassroots work. Fifa says its development programme has already expanded funding, with $2.8bn made available across the 211 member associations through the first two Fifa Forward cycles, plus increased funding under the current 2023 to 2026 round. The debate now reaches beyond one business proposal and into the question of who controls the game’s future. For American readers, the takeaway is simple: the fight over Fifa’s money and governance could shape the World Cup and the funding that reaches football nations around the world, including those tied to the 2026 tournament.
Frequently asked questions
What is Fifa proposing to do?
Fifa wants to create a commercial subsidiary, Fifa Forward Enterprise, to run its biggest events including the World Cup and sell minority, non-controlling stakes to outside investors.
Which major football groups have opposed the plan?
Uefa, Concacaf, and the Asian Football Confederation have all rejected it. Uefa has also voted to boycott World Cups if the plan goes ahead.
Why did Carlos Cordeiro resign?
He said he had unequivocally opposed the plan and did not believe outside investors were needed. He also questioned why the deal was being rushed and who would benefit.
How much support would the proposal need to pass?
It needs a simple majority of Fifa’s 211 members, which means 106 votes.
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