In Tokyo, with Asia’s football leaders gathered for an extraordinary congress, Gianni Infantino received a significant lift for his bid to remain FIFA president as the Asian Football Confederation formally pledged its support for another term.
Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the AFC president, embraced Infantino before delegates and confirmed that the confederation would stand behind his leadership ahead of the FIFA election in March. The endorsement comes as Infantino faces firm resistance in Europe, while no opposing candidate had yet entered the race before the 18 November nomination deadline.
“We are fully committed to supporting you and your leadership in seeking a further mandate as FIFA president,” Sheikh Salman told Infantino. He said the FIFA chief had visited numerous Asian countries and that conversations across the continent had underlined the strength of his commitment.
Asia changes course after Zurich dispute
The position marks a sharp change from August, when the AFC joined UEFA, the North and Central American confederation and others in accusing Infantino of a fundamental breach of trust.
That confrontation followed the collapse of a proposed $4.2 billion World Cup funding plan. Infantino apologised to the FIFA Council in Zurich last week after the project was abandoned.
In Tokyo, Sheikh Salman sought to draw a line under the disagreement, saying the previous issues should not be mixed with the current decision. He said recent meetings in Zurich had produced a genuine understanding between the AFC and FIFA leadership.
“The past is part of our history, and I am sure we have all learned important lessons,” he said. “What matters now is how we move forward together.”
The AFC has 47 member associations. While its members are not compelled to vote as a single unit, support from such a large continental bloc gives Infantino a major advantage as he pursues re-election.
Financial promise strengthens Infantino’s position
Infantino’s campaign has also been reinforced by FIFA’s new financial distribution model, which substantially increases the funds available to each member association.
The Swiss official, who has promoted the programme during visits around the world, told the Tokyo meeting that annual support was set for a historic rise.
“Before I became FIFA president, each of you received $1 million over four years,” Infantino said. “From 1 January next year, that amount will rise to $25 million.”
The announcement was greeted with applause, underlining why the funding package has become central to Infantino’s effort to secure another term at the head of world football.
