Qatar challenges AFC over open letter attacking FIFA President Infantino
Summary
Qatar’s football association questioned the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for issuing a public letter criticizing FIFA President Gianni Infantino without consulting them. The dispute highlights divisions within Asian football as Infantino faces pressure over a failed plan to sell part of World Cup commercial rights to private investors.Key Facts
- Qatar’s Football Association President Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani wrote a letter to the AFC president saying Qatar was not consulted before AFC joined UEFA and CONCACAF in criticizing FIFA President Infantino.
- The letter questioned the AFC’s authority to speak for all 47 of its member associations without prior consultation.
- Infantino is up for re-election next year and has faced criticism over a proposal to sell 20% of World Cup commercial rights to private investors.
- Six Arab football association leaders, including Qatar and Morocco (2026 World Cup co-hosts), publicly supported Infantino despite the controversy.
- Four of those supporting Infantino, including Al-Thani, are also FIFA Council members.
- The AFC, UEFA, and CONCACAF released a collective letter calling for Infantino to quit over his conduct and failed investment plan.
- Al-Thani emphasized that neither he nor Qatar had any input or chance to comment before the AFC’s letter was published.
- Infantino’s proposal aimed to raise about $4.2 billion by selling part of FIFA’s World Cup commercial rights but was withdrawn after backlash.
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