The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has formally rejected FIFA's proposal to sell a minority stake in a newly formed commercial entity, aligning itself with the boycott already declared by UEFA and Concacaf.
The statement, published on Friday, marks a significant escalation in the governance crisis surrounding the world soccer governing body, as the three most powerful continental confederations now stand in unified opposition to President Gianni Infantino's restructuring plans.
This development effectively stalls FIFA's fundraising strategy, which relied on securing buy-in from major confederations to validate the commercial vehicle.
With Europe and North America having already voted to boycott all FIFA competitions, the AFC's refusal removes any remaining leverage Infantino might have had to force a compromise.
The unified front suggests that the proposed commercial entity will not proceed in its current form, leaving FIFA's financial roadmap in limbo.
The crisis stems from deep-seated disagreements over governance and revenue distribution.