Infantino FIFA re-election bid backed by Asian football chief in surprising U-turn
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially declared its full endorsement for Gianni Infantino as he seeks another term as FIFA president. The major declaration was made on Friday, October 23, 2026, by AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, signalling a significant shift that could prove decisive in the upcoming FIFA presidential election.
"We affirm our full commitment to supporting you and your leadership as you seek a new mandate as the FIFA president. Commitment You have visited a lot of countries in Asia.
I have 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," the AFC president said.
"And I have said that to you," Salman said during an extraordinary congress in Tokyo. The endorsement marks a dramatic U-turn in continental politics.
The AFC, under Sheikh Salman's leadership, had previously joined forces with European governing body UEFA and CONCACAF to strongly criticise Infantino over a controversial commercial rights proposal involving plans to sell a stake in the FIFA World Cup to a private consortium. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe at the FIFA Congress.
com/ConfederationAfricaineDeFootball While the declaration serves as a unified stance for the AFC, the collective backing of its 47 member associations is expected to be instrumental in securing a fresh mandate for Infantino, who is aiming to lock down a fourth term at the helm of world football. The endorsement also came after the African continent's 54 member associations on Thursday, October 9, 2026,pledged their unconditional support for theincumbent'sreelectionin a big boost to the Swiss-Italian's candidacy.
FIFA's presidential election is scheduled for March 2027, with the official deadline for candidate submissions set for November 18, 2026. Infantino currently stands as the clear frontrunner, particularly after UEFA's leadership elected not to field a rival candidate, leaving the path open for the current president to solidify his hold on the global game.