Three Confederations Challenge FIFA's Governance

Three of football’s six continental confederations have escalated their stand-off with FIFA by publishing an open letter that demands an independent investigation into the failed project to create a subsidiary for commercialising World Cup rights.

UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Concacaf—representing Europe, Asia and North and Central America respectively—signed the letter, which was addressed to the “football family” and released on Monday. It was endorsed by the presidents and general secretaries of each organisation: Aleksander Ceferin and Theodore Theodoridis (UEFA), Victor Montagliani and Philippe Moggio (Concacaf), and Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa and Datuk Seri Windsor John (AFC).

The dispute stems from FIFA’s aborted plan to create a new commercial vehicle that would have handled the sale of sponsorship, media and licensing rights for the men’s World Cup and other assets. The three confederations argue that the way the proposal was rushed through—with a tight deadline and insufficient consultation—goes beyond a mere operational mis-step. They accuse FIFA of designing a process that limited scrutiny and eroded trust among the 211 member federations.

In the letter, the signatories also criticise FIFA’s decision to hold a partial management committee meeting in Morocco rather than summoning the full committee to its Zurich headquarters, saying this reinforces concerns about how the governing body is run. The confederations insist that the crisis is not about money or political support, but about the institutional integrity of football and the accountability of those in senior positions.

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What the Joint Demand Means for FIFA's Authority

The collapse of the commercial subsidiary plan

FIFA had hoped the new entity would attract outside investment and supercharge the commercial revenue from its showpiece event, mirroring moves by other sports bodies. But the plan met fierce internal resistance because it was presented with little time for due diligence. The letter makes clear that the retreat on the project has not resolved the underlying governance conflict—instead it has opened a wider debate about how power is exercised within world football.

A crisis of governance, not finance

UEFA, AFC and Concacaf explicitly reject the idea that the dispute is about funding or the expansion of international competitions. They frame the problem as a test of whether FIFA’s leadership sees its authority as delegated responsibility or as a possession. This is a direct challenge to the management style of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who has concentrated power at the Zurich headquarters since his election.

Why CAF, CONMEBOL and OFC are missing

The letter is signed by only three of the six confederations. The absence of Africa (CAF), South America (CONMEBOL) and Oceania (OFC) suggests the opposition is not unanimous. However, the three signatories represent the vast bulk of football’s commercial revenue—Europe alone accounts for the lion’s share of World Cup broadcasting income—meaning their combined weight cannot be ignored.

Implications for FIFA’s leadership

The demand for an independent, third-party investigation raises the stakes ahead of the next FIFA Congress. If the probe gathers momentum, it could force structural reforms or even pressure on the presidency, although no immediate leadership challenge is on the table. For now, the letter marks the most coordinated institutional pushback Infantino has faced since his first election.

What Happens Next for FIFA and the World Cup

  • The dispute is set to dominate the next FIFA Congress, where member federations will expect a clear explanation of the commercial subsidiary’s fate and responses to the demands for independent oversight.
  • Broadcasters and sponsors lining up for the 2030 and 2034 men’s World Cups will be watching closely; a prolonged governance dispute could delay the formal launch of rights sales and inject uncertainty into the bidding process.