A united front of continental bodies
The presidents of UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation have issued a joint open letter that accuses FIFA president Gianni Infantino of attempting to sell an interest in the World Cup, describing the move as a fundamental breach of trust.
Criticism of Infantino’s conduct
Signed by UEFA chief Aleksander Čeferin, AFC president Salman Bin Ibrahim Al‑Khalifa, CONCACAF chief Victor Montagliani and three general secretaries, the letter argues that football belongs to players, fans, clubs and member associations, and that Infantino’s actions prioritize personal gain over the collective interests of the sport.
Previous warnings and political fallout
The criticism follows a series of warnings: UEFA had previously threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, Norway’s football federation called for Infantino’s resignation, and the English Football Association withdrew its backing for his re‑election in March.
FIFA’s response and the call for accountability
While FIFA issued an apology for the failed plan, the signatories of the letter dismissed the statement as insufficient, urging the organization to recognize the episode as a leadership failure and to implement clearer communication and accountability mechanisms.
The episode has reignited debates about the future governance of world football, with stakeholders demanding a more inclusive decision‑making process and warning that continued opacity could erode confidence in the sport’s global governing body.