Gianni Infantino wins Asian backing for FIFA presidential bid after Tokyo reconciliation

Gianni Infantino has received a significant boost in his bid for a fourth and final term as FIFA president after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) publicly endorsed his candidacy.

AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa announced the decision on Friday at a meeting of the confederation in Tokyo, attended by the Swiss-Italian FIFA president.

“We renew our full commitment to supporting you and your leadership as you seek a new term as FIFA president,” Sheikh Salman said, according to the AFC’s official website.

He added that discussions with several football officials across Asia had made clear the continent’s support for Infantino.

The announcement marks a notable change in relations between the AFC and Infantino, following a dispute over a proposed FIFA commercial company that would have opened its ownership to private-sector investors.

The project was kept confidential before eventually being abandoned. The AFC had previously joined UEFA and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) in opposing the plan.

After FIFA dropped the proposal, the AFC maintained its call for Infantino to resign. However, several national football associations in Asia later shifted towards supporting the FIFA president, and Sheikh Salman’s statement has now confirmed the backing of the continental body itself.

Acknowledging the earlier disagreement, Sheikh Salman said: “Gianni, yes, we had disagreements in the past, but we have to move forward. Football is stronger when we work together.”

The AFC’s position could prove important in the presidential election. The confederation has 46 member associations, while Infantino faces opposition from UEFA, which has 55 members, and Concacaf, which represents 35.

The FIFA presidential election is scheduled to take place in March, with the deadline for candidates to submit their nominations set for 18 November.

Infantino, 56, is the only candidate to have formally announced his intention to stand so far. Victor Montagliani, whose name had been mentioned as the leading potential challenger, is not expected to enter the race.

The Asian endorsement gives Infantino support from one of FIFA’s largest continental confederations as he seeks to continue leading world football.