Qatar challenges the Asian Football Confederation over an open letter attacking FIFA President Infantino | World Cup News
Qatar Football Association President Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani complained about the lack of consultation regarding the AFC’s open letter to FIFA.
Published on August 14, 2026
A growing rift within Asian football over the future of FIFA has exploded into the open, with Qatar challenging the Asian Football Confederation over its decision to join UEFA and CONCACAF in a sweeping attack on embattled FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Qatar Football Association President Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani wrote in a letter to AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa that neither he nor the Qatar Football Association were consulted before the three federations issued an open letter on Monday purporting to speak collectively on behalf of their members.
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Infantino, who is seeking re-election next year, faced open revolt after UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF attacked his behavior and drew criticism from him. He called on him to resign Because of his aborted attempt to bring private investment into FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
Al Thani, a member of the Executive Committee of the Asian Football Confederation and a member of the FIFA Council, wrote in the letter, which was seen by Reuters news agency: “A collective point of view must first be confirmed, which cannot be assumed, and cannot be brought into existence by an announcement.”
He asked the AFC to clarify the nature of the consultations that took place and on what basis it considered itself authorized to speak collectively on behalf of the 47 member associations.
The intervention reveals divisions within the AFC at a critical moment in the battle over Infantino’s leadership.
Al Thani said in his letter to the President of the Asian Football Confederation: “Neither the Qatar Football Association, nor I personally… were consulted, whether formally or informally, before issuing the statement.
“No prior notice was given, no draft was distributed, and no opportunity was given to comment on or contribute to its content prior to its public release in the name of the AFC and on behalf of the AFC Members.”
The challenge comes after six presidents of Arab national football federations – including Qatar and Morocco, co-hosts of the 2030 World Cup – Support Infantino on Thursday Amidst the FIFA crisis after the failure of the private investment proposal.
Four of the six signatories – Al Thani, president of the Egyptian Football Association, Hani Abu Raida, Moroccan Fawzi Lakjaa, and Mauritanian Ahmed Yahya – are also members of the FIFA Council.
“We greatly appreciate Mr. Infantino’s continued efforts to advance football globally, expand opportunities in all regions and enhance the game’s role in bringing people and communities together,” they said.
Infantino proposed cutting commercial rights to the World Cup and selling 20% to private investors to raise about $4.2 billion before backing down after the uproar.
