Qatar FA says AFC failed to consult members on FIFA statement

Qatar Football Association President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani has demanded transparency from the Asian Football Confederation after revealing that member associations were not consulted before the body joined UEFA and CONCACAF in issuing a statement criticizing FIFA's handling of World Cup commercial rights, according to the Qatar News Agency.

Lack of Consultation

In a letter to AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Al-Thani stated that Qatar had received neither formal nor informal notification before the Aug. 10 statement was published in the name of the confederation and its members. He noted that the QFA was given no advance draft of the document and no opportunity to contribute to its contents prior to release.

Al-Thani stressed that any position presented as the collective stance of AFC members should be preceded by a clear consultation process, adding that consensus cannot be assumed without first seeking the views of national associations. "The issuance of a statement speaking on behalf of the AFC members without consulting them raises questions about the mechanism followed in adopting such positions," he wrote, according to QNA. The QFA has requested a written explanation detailing whether any consultation occurred and on what basis the confederation claimed to speak for its members.

FIFA Governance Dispute

The dispute centers on a proposal to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights, which UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF said on Monday represented a "fundamental breach of trust" by FIFA leadership. The three confederations stated that the dispute was ultimately about "the integrity of the game" and called for greater accountability from the governing body. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is reportedly seeking re-election in March 2027, retains support from several national federations including Argentina and Mexico as well as the Confederation of African Football.