The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced its support for Gianni Infantino’s campaign to secure another term as FIFA president. The endorsement, delivered during an AFC meeting in Tokyo on Friday, marks a significant change in stance for the regional governing body, which had previously expressed strong opposition to the Swiss official’s leadership.
During the meeting, AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa offered unequivocal backing to the 56-year-old incumbent, describing it as a move to move forward together. “I think that we reaffirm our full commitment, of course, to supporting you and your leadership as you seek a new mandate as FIFA president,” Sheikh Salman stated, addressing Infantino directly. While acknowledging prior disputes, he emphasized the need for unity, telling the assembly that football is at its strongest when organizations work in collaboration.
This political shift follows a period of intense scrutiny surrounding Infantino’s tenure. In August, the AFC had joined forces with Europe’s UEFA and the North and Central American confederation, CONCACAF, to issue a formal condemnation of the FIFA leader. That protest was largely triggered by Infantino’s proposal to open premium football competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors. At the time, the organizations argued that football belongs to no single individual and suggested that the trust placed in the FIFA president had been compromised.
Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, recently issued an apology regarding the failed private investment project. Following the AFC’s latest expression of support, he expressed gratitude for the backing, crediting a united Asia for the global transformation of the sport. He noted that the growth of football would not have been possible without the commitment of Asian federations.
The race for the FIFA presidency, scheduled for March, remains without a prominent challenger as the November 18 candidate declaration deadline approaches. While Infantino has faced vocal criticism from several European national associations—some of which have cited concerns over his political associations—he continues to hold influence in other regions. He has already secured support from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and maintains significant backing from the South American governing body, CONMEBOL.
Within Asia, the support for the FIFA president has been varied. Nations such as Kuwait and 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar have historically backed him, as has Saudi Arabia, which is set to host the 2034 tournament. Despite the previous friction, the AFC’s public endorsement is expected to bolster Infantino’s chances of securing a fourth and final term in office.
The path forward for FIFA remains focused on the upcoming election cycle. As the confederations do not vote as singular, unified blocs, the internal dynamics of these organizations remain key to the outcome. For now, the AFC’s alignment behind the incumbent provides a substantial boost to his campaign, signaling a resolution to the administrative tensions that had threatened his re-election prospects earlier this year.
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