Gianni Infantino Secures Key Asian Support for FIFA Re-election Bid

23.10.2026 · 12:03

The head of the Asian Football Confederation has confirmed full support for Gianni Infantino's fourth term as FIFA president during a meeting in Tokyo.

Gianni Infantino’s campaign for a new mandate as FIFA president received a significant boost on Friday. During an extraordinary congress held in Tokyo, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) officially endorsed the incumbent leader ahead of the upcoming elections in March.

The public backing from AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa marks a notable shift in relations. Only two months ago, Sheikh Salman had joined leaders from UEFA and Concacaf in a joint letter that accused Infantino of a "fundamental breach of trust." That dispute centered on a controversial and now-abandoned plan to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors.

A United Front in Tokyo

Addressing the delegates in Japan, Sheikh Salman emphasized that it was time for the football community to move past previous disagreements. He noted that after speaking with various members across the continent, the commitment to Infantino’s leadership remained clear among the majority of the 47-nation confederation.

"As one Asian family, we are ready to move forward, united in your support, Gianni."
Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa

Infantino, who was present at the meeting, welcomed the endorsement and acknowledged that mistakes had been made regarding the communication of his previous investment proposals. He has recently been traveling extensively to shore up support, highlighting a proposed massive increase in football development funding, which could see payments to member nations rise significantly by next year.

The path to a fourth term, which would last until 2031, currently looks clear for Infantino. While the deadline for rival candidates to come forward is November 18, no challengers have officially entered the race. Potential opponents, including UEFA’s Aleksander Ceferin and Concacaf’s Victor Montagliani, have indicated they do not intend to run.

Despite the support from Asia, Africa, and South America, Infantino still faces pressure from Europe. UEFA has set a deadline for early November for FIFA to provide documents and answer questions regarding its governance and recent decision-making processes.