Asian Football Confederation boss says governing body will back FIFA President Infantino's re-election bid
Sheikh Salman said Asia is united behind Infantino, giving the FIFA president support from 47 member associations as he seeks a fourth term.
- On Friday, October 23, 2026, in Tokyo, Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa announced the confederation's formal endorsement of Gianni Infantino's re-election bid for a fourth term as FIFA president.
- This endorsement marks a significant U-turn for Sheikh Salman, who joined other confederations two months ago in signing a letter accusing Infantino of a 'fundamental breach of trust' over a scrapped $4.2bn sell-off plan for World Cup commercial rights.
- Infantino's March re-election campaign depends on consolidating the 47-member AFC voting bloc while facing strong European opposition ahead of the November 18 filing deadline for challenger candidates.
- Infantino apologized last week to the FIFA Council for "mistakes" in assembling his investment plan, yet insists he retains the "vast, vast majority" of footballing nations' support as he seeks re-election.
- The AFC's consolidated support provides Infantino a critical advantage while European officials continue demanding accountability, effectively neutralizing earlier resignation calls as the electoral filing period nears November 18.
232 Articles
232 Articles
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has made a public appearance after a long absence, once again showing that he has no intention of stepping down as the most important man in world football. The Italian stressed in an interview with the BBC that despite all the controversies, the majority of the football world stands by him.
FIFA president Infantino laughs off resignation talk, touts global support as he seeks reelection
FIFA president Gianni Infantino laughed off questions about whether he had considered resigning in the wake of the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, pointing to overwhelming support from member associations around the globe.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has responded to calls for his resignation following the controversy surrounding the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project. Earlier, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani called for the head of the governing body to resign. "I was elected by 211 national federations from around the world. I think it's important to understand that in an organization like FIFA, there can be diff…
union-bulletin.com
Infantino says he's supported by 'vast, vast majority' of soccer ahead of FIFA elections
FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he has the backing of the “vast, vast majority” of soccer despite his failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup. Infantino is seeking re-election next year as the head of soccer’s world governing…
Gazette-News
Irish NewsGianni Infantino confident ‘vast majority’ support his bid for FIFA re-election
The Swiss has faced widespread calls to resign as president.
Infantino mocks his critics defiantly, clinging to the FIFA throne
At a time when pressure is mounting on Gianni Infantino, president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), over the crisis surrounding the proposed sale of the federation's commercial rights, the Swiss official came out with a confident and sarcastic tone, affirming that he enjoys the support of the "vast majority" of the football family, in a stance that reflects his determination to cling to his position despite growing…
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