FIFA President Infantino’s re-election endorsed in U-turn by Asian football | Football
AFC Endorses Infantino for FIFA Presidency as Election Approaches
Tokyo, Japan — The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) officially endorsed Gianni Infantino for a fourth term as president of FIFA during an extraordinary congress held in Tokyo on Friday. Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, president of the AFC, expressed the organization’s commitment to supporting Infantino’s bid for re-election.
With 47 member confederations, the AFC’s backing could play a crucial role in securing Infantino another term. Although Sheikh Salman acknowledged that not all members might align with the endorsement, he emphasized that the majority of AFC members share this sentiment.
“We affirm our full commitment to supporting you and your leadership as you seek a new mandate as the FIFA president,” Sheikh Salman stated while embracing Infantino during his speech. He noted that Infantino has demonstrated a strong commitment to Asia by visiting numerous countries across the continent.
The FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March 2027, and candidates must submit their filings by November 18. As of now, Infantino is the sole candidate.
Sheikh Salman’s endorsement marks a significant shift in the AFC’s position. Just over two months ago, the AFC had joined European and North American football governing bodies in criticizing Infantino for allegedly committing a “fundamental breach of trust.” The controversy primarily related to a now-canceled plan to sell a stake in FIFA events to private investors.
In his remarks, Sheikh Salman referred to past disputes with Infantino but chose not to delve into specifics. “Yes, we had some issues we spoke about in the past,” he acknowledged. “But let’s not relate the two things together. What matters now is how we move forward together.”
Infantino also addressed the membership, acknowledging his own mistakes during his tenure. “When you do many things, you hopefully do many good things, but you also make some mistakes,” he said. “The important thing is to learn from those experiences.”
The FIFA media office has been actively promoting Infantino’s global travels, which are aimed at securing support from various national football associations in exchange for increased financial assistance.
As Sheikh Salman concluded his speech with renewed support for Infantino, he remarked, “As one Asian family, we are ready to move forward, united in your support, Gianni.”
Infantino responded positively to the endorsement, emphasizing the importance of unity in building for the future. He highlighted the increased financial support FIFA has been providing to its member organizations, which will rise from $1 million every four years to $25 million annually starting January 1, 2027.
The upcoming FIFA election is set to be closely watched, especially with the AFC’s renewed support for Infantino as he seeks another term at the helm of international football.
