Asian football chief backs Gianni Infantino for another term as FIFA president

Home Sports Asian football chief backs Gianni Infantino for another term as FIFA president Sports By Linda Ikeji 23 October 2026, 11:04 am0 comments The head of the Asian Football Confederation has revealed that the body is endorsing Gianni Infantino for another term as FIFA president. Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa pledged to back the re-election bid at the association's extraordinary congress on Friday.

Speaking at the body's extraordinary congress meeting in Tokyo on Friday, Sheikh embraced Infantino with a large hug in front of the membership as he delivered his endorsement. "We affirm our full commitment to supporting you and your leadership as you seek a new mandate as the FIFA president.

You've visited a lot of countries in Asia. I've spoken to a lot of members within this continent.

I know your feeling, and I think your commitment is clear as well." Addressing his remarks to Infantino, Sheikh Salman indicated not every AFC member would go along with the endorsement, but most will. "My feeling is, I'm sure, the feeling of most of my members," Sheikh Salman said.

"And I've said that to you."

The comments come amid scrutiny from UEFA over Infantino's presidency ahead of next year's election.

UEFA lost confidence in Infantino over his handling of the World Cup private investor plan, and has said it will identify a credible alternative candidate to stand against him in next year's election. Infantino apologized last week in Zurich to FIFA's 37-member ruling council - which he chairs - for "mistakes" he made in assembling a now-scrapped $4.2 billion plan for the World Cup.

Sheikh Salman referenced the differences with Infantino in his speech. "Gianni, I want to make it clear, Yes, we had some issues we spoke about in the past," Sheikh Salman said.

"But let's not relate the two things together. I think the last few days we met in Zurich you made it clear that there's a true understanding between us." "The past I'm sure is part of our history," he added, "We've all, I'm sure, learned important lessons from it."