ASIAN FOOTBALL CONFEDERATION BACKS INFANTINO’S RE-ELECTION BID

The Asian Football Confederation has endorsed Gianni Infantino’s bid for re-election as FIFA president ahead of the vote scheduled for March 2027.

AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa announced the support during the confederation’s extraordinary congress in Tokyo on Friday, with Infantino in attendance.

Sheikh Salman reaffirmed the region’s backing for Infantino’s leadership, pointing to his engagement with football associations across Asia.

If re-elected, Infantino would remain in charge of world football’s governing body until 2031.

The endorsement follows a period of disagreement between FIFA’s president and several regional football bodies.

In August, the AFC joined UEFA and CONCACAF in criticising a proposal to open commercial rights associated with major FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors.

That proposal was subsequently abandoned, and Infantino apologised at a FIFA Council meeting.

The AFC’s latest position therefore represents an important show of support as he seeks another mandate.

Infantino, who first became FIFA president in 2016, had already announced his intention to contest the 2027 election. The final decision will rest with FIFA’s member associations when they vote.