Asian Football Confederation Endorses Gianni Infantino for FIFA Re-election

What happened
On October 23, 2026, the Asian Football Confederation publicly endorsed Gianni Infantino's bid for re-election as FIFA President.
The Context
- AFC's Support: The endorsement from the AFC, led by Sheikh Salman, comes after previous criticisms of Infantino's proposals, indicating a shift towards unity.
- Election Timeline: With nominations closing on November 18, 2026, and no challengers announced, Infantino's path to a fourth term appears increasingly secure.
- Regional Influence: The AFC represents 47 member associations, making their backing a significant voting bloc in the upcoming FIFA election.
The Number
— This is the number of AFC member associations whose support could decisively influence the FIFA election, highlighting the importance of regional alliances in global sports governance.
Takeaway
Infantino's re-election prospects are bolstered by this endorsement, suggesting a stable leadership phase for FIFA ahead.
Arabic-language UAE news coverage spanning domestic, public-interest, and current affairs reporting.
"Emarat Al Youm is a major UAE newspaper with broad mainstream coverage and strong attention to national developments."
— A47 Editor
الاتحاد الآسيوي يؤيد إعادة انتخاب إنفانتينو رئيساً لـ «فيفا» الاتحاد الآسيوي يؤيد إعادة انتخاب إنفانتينو رئيساً لـ «فيفا»
The Asian Football Confederation, led by Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, has announced its support for the re-election of Gianni Infantino as FIFA President. This endorsement reflects the confidence of Asian football leaders in Infantino's lead...
Arabic-language coverage of international news and geopolitics.
"RT Arabic is a Russian state-funded outlet often criticized for promoting Kremlin-aligned narratives."
— A47 Editor
الشيخ سلمان بن إبراهيم آل خليفة يحسم موقفه حول دعم إنفانتينو في انتخابات الفيفا
Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the President of the Asian Football Confederation, has announced his support for Gianni Infantino in his bid for re-election during the upcoming FIFA elections scheduled for March. This endorsement highlights the...
UAE-based English-language newspaper covering regional politics, economics, and global affairs.
"The National reflects Emirati policy perspectives while maintaining international editorial standards."
— A47 Editor
Asian football chief backs Gianni Infantino's Fifa presidency bid
The Asian football chief has publicly endorsed Gianni Infantino's bid for re-election as FIFA president, emphasizing the need for strong leadership in the sport. This support aligns with Infantino's ongoing efforts to consolidate his position amid va...
Covers global sporting events, athlete news, and cultural perspectives on sports.
"The Guardian is known for progressive editorial analysis, often exploring social and cultural dimensions of sports."
— A47 Editor
Asian Football Confederation backs Gianni Infantino in U-turn on Fifa presidency
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially endorsed Gianni Infantino for another term as FIFA president, marking a significant shift from its previous criticism of his leadership just two months prior. During an extraordinary congress in T...