Asian Football Confederation Backs Gianni Infantino for Fourth FIFA Presidential Term

Posted : 23 October 2026

Gianni Infantino has received a significant boost in his bid for a fourth term as FIFA president after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) publicly endorsed his re-election campaign.

AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa announced the confederation’s support during an extraordinary congress in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday, October 23, 2026, with Infantino in attendance.

The endorsement strengthens the FIFA chief’s position ahead of the presidential election scheduled for March 2027.

The announcement represents a major change in the AFC’s position following its earlier criticism of Infantino’s proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative. In August, Sheikh Salman joined the presidents of UEFA and CONCACAF in condemning the plan, which sought to attract private investment into a commercial entity connected to FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.

The proposal was subsequently abandoned amid widespread opposition, with the three confederations raising concerns about trust, transparency and Infantino’s leadership.

Addressing the gathering in Tokyo, Sheikh Salman reaffirmed Asia’s commitment to supporting Infantino as he seeks another mandate. He indicated that discussions with football representatives across the continent had strengthened his confidence in their backing for the FIFA president.

Acknowledging the disagreements surrounding the abandoned investment proposal, the AFC chief said the organisation was prepared to put the dispute behind it and focus on unity within the sport.

The endorsement could prove important in determining the outcome of the election, particularly as Infantino continues to enjoy substantial backing from African and South American football representatives.

The AFC has 47 member associations, whose support could strengthen his campaign, although the extent to which individual members will follow the confederation’s position remains uncertain. The election will involve FIFA’s 211 member associations, making regional support a significant factor in the contest.

Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, is seeking another term that would extend his presidency to 2031. The deadline for rival candidates to submit their nominations is November 18, 2026.

As of October 23, no challenger had formally entered the race, although opposition to Infantino remains, particularly among European football officials who have continued to demand answers about the abandoned investment scheme and FIFA’s decision-making processes.

Asian Football Confederation Backs Gianni Infantino for Fourth FIFA Presidential Term

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics