Asian backing for Infantino reshapes FIFA presidential race

The Asian Football Confederation is now backing Infantino for a fourth and final term as FIFA president. Confederation president Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa announced the change on Friday at a meeting in Tokyo attended by Infantino. The endorsement alters the balance around a candidacy that had faced opposition from part of the continent.

The shift is notable because the confederation had continued to call for Infantino’s resignation after a commercial project linked to FIFA was abandoned. Several Asian national federations subsequently moved towards supporting the head of the international governing body. Salman’s announcement now confirms that the change extends beyond national-level positions: the confederation itself is backing the bid.

The dispute concerned a proposed commercial company affiliated with FIFA, whose capital was to be opened to private investors. Earlier, the Asian confederation had joined UEFA and CONCACAF in opposing the plan. It had been kept secret before being dropped. The support announced in Tokyo therefore signals a rapprochement after opposition focused on a particular initiative, rather than erasing the disagreements of the past.

Salman said: « We renew our full commitment to support you and your leadership as you seek a new term as FIFA president ». He added that consultations with several football officials across the continent had revealed clear support for Infantino. Acknowledging the earlier tensions, he also told Gianni: « Yes, we have had disagreements in the past, but we must move forward. Football is stronger when we work together. »

The endorsement matters in the electoral calculations: the Asian confederation brings together 46 member federations. Infantino, meanwhile, faces opposition from UEFA, which has 55 members, and CONCACAF, which has 35. Those figures indicate the organised forces around the presidential contest, but do not by themselves determine its outcome.

The FIFA presidential election is scheduled for next March, with candidacies due by November 18. Infantino, 56, is the only person to have officially announced a bid so far. Montagliani, whose name has been raised as his main potential rival, is not expected to enter the race. Asian support therefore arrives as the candidate-selection timetable advances, strengthening Infantino’s position ahead of the election.