Asian football has thrown its support behind FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s bid for re-election, giving the Swiss football administrator a significant boost as he seeks to extend his leadership of world football.
The announcement came on Friday, October 23, 2026, during a meeting of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in Tokyo, Japan. AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa publicly expressed his backing for Infantino, who was present at the meeting.
The endorsement marks a notable shift in the region’s position, coming weeks after criticism over Infantino’s now-abandoned plan to sell World Cup-related commercial rights. The latest show of support could strengthen his prospects of securing another term as FIFA president.
Infantino, 56, has led FIFA since 2016 and has overseen major changes to international football competitions, including the expansion of the men’s FIFA World Cup to 48 teams for the 2026 edition. His leadership has attracted both support and criticism from football associations and observers around the world.
The AFC’s endorsement is politically significant because regional confederations and their member associations can play an important role in FIFA presidential elections. Support from Asia could help Infantino build momentum as the re-election process approaches.
However, the endorsement does not itself determine the final outcome. FIFA’s presidency is decided through voting by its member associations, making support across other regions important as well.
The development places Asian football firmly in the spotlight and raises fresh questions about the political alliances shaping the future of the global game. Further developments will reveal whether Infantino can translate regional backing into broader support for another term.
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