FIFA Investor Plan Faces Setback as Carlos Cordeiro Resigns Amid Growing Opposition
FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell stakes in the commercial operations of the FIFA World Cup has encountered another major obstacle after senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned, describing the plan as “a bad deal” for football.
Cordeiro’s departure came just hours after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced it “stands in solidarity” with UEFA and Concacaf, joining the two confederations in opposing the investor plan. The former United States Soccer Federation president warned that the initiative would “mortgage football’s future” and argued it does not serve the best interests of the global game.
“It is a bad deal for FIFA’s member associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long‑term future of the game.”
Carlos Cordeiro, resignation statement
The AFC emphasized that the FIFA World Cup remains the pinnacle of global football, deriving its strength from the participation of all confederations and the world’s leading nations. It added that any proposal threatening the competition’s unity and universal character must be reconsidered.
With UEFA representing 55 member associations, Concacaf 35, and the AFC 46, the combined opposition could translate into 136 votes against the plan if members follow their confederations’ stances. Since Infantino indicated that approval would require a simple majority of 106 votes from FIFA’s 211 members, the proposal’s passage now appears highly unlikely.
Despite the mounting backlash, FIFA has dismissed the criticism and stated it will continue consulting stakeholders over the investor plan.
