Infantino receives key Asian backing ahead of FIFA presidential election

Gianni Infantino has been given a significant boost in his bid for a fourth and final term as FIFA president after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) publicly endorsed his campaign.

AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa announced the decision on Friday during an AFC meeting in Tokyo, attended by the Swiss-Italian FIFA president.

“We renew our full commitment to supporting you and your leadership as you seek a new term as FIFA president,” Sheikh Salman said in comments highlighted on the AFC’s official website.

He added that discussions with a number of football officials across Asia had demonstrated clear support for Infantino.

The announcement marks a notable change in relations between the two men and could influence the balance of power before the FIFA presidential election in March.

The AFC had previously opposed a FIFA plan to establish a commercial company whose share capital would be opened to private-sector investors. The proposal was kept confidential before eventually being abandoned.

During that dispute, the AFC joined UEFA and Concacaf in opposing the project. Even after the plan was dropped, the Asian confederation maintained its call for Infantino to resign.

However, several national associations in Asia later moved towards supporting the FIFA president. Sheikh Salman’s latest declaration confirms that the continental confederation itself is now backing Infantino in the presidential race.

Acknowledging the disagreements between them, Sheikh Salman said: “Gianni, yes, we had differences in the past, but we have to move forward. Football is stronger when we work together.”

The AFC’s position is important because it represents 46 member associations. Infantino faces opposition from UEFA, which has 55 members, and Concacaf, whose membership stands at 35 associations.

The FIFA presidential election is scheduled to take place in March, with the deadline for nominations set for 18 November.

Infantino, who is 56, is the only candidate to have officially declared his intention to stand so far. Victor Montagliani had been identified as his most prominent potential challenger, but he is not expected to enter the election.

The Asian backing follows a period of tension over FIFA’s proposed commercial structure and gives Infantino support from one of the largest confederations ahead of the nomination deadline.