Qatar challenges AFC over open letter attacking FIFA President Infantino

Qatar FA President Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani complains about lack of consultation about AFC open letter to FIFA. A growing rift within Asian football over the future of FIFA has burst 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 QFA had been consulted before the three confederations issued an open letter on Monday ⁠⁠purporting to speak collectively for their members. He asked the AFC to explain what consultation there had been and on what basis it considered itself authorised to speak collectively for its 47 member associations. The intervention exposes divisions within the AFC at ⁠⁠a critical moment in the battle over Infantino’s leadership.

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Scoop News DeskQatar · Published Friday, August 14, 2026 at 3:36 PM UTCUpdated Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 4:39 AM UTC

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In his letter ⁠⁠to the AFC president, Al-Thani said, “neither the QFA, nor I personally … was consulted, whether formally or informally, prior to the issuance of the statement. “No advance notice was given, no draft was circulated, and no opportunity was afforded to comment ⁠⁠on, or contribute to, its content before it was released publicly in AFC’s name and on behalf of AFC’s members.” The challenge comes after ⁠⁠six heads of Arab national football associations – including Qatar and ⁠⁠2030 World Cup co-hosts Morocco – backed Infantino on Thursday amid FIFA’s crisis following the failed private investment proposal.

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