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Asian Football Confederation endorses Infantino for FIFA re-election

The head of Asian football said the confederation would back Gianni Infantino's bid for another term as FIFA president, reversing an earlier critical stance.

23 October 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Asian Football Confederation endorses Infantino for FIFA re-election — Archive photoPhoto: Mohammad Hassanzadeh · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0

The Asian Football Confederation has endorsed Gianni Infantino for re-election as FIFA president, according to multiple reports. AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa made the announcement at an extraordinary congress of the body in Tokyo on Friday. Infantino is seeking a fourth term as FIFA president, which would extend until 2031 if secured.

This represents a reversal of the AFC's previous position. Two months earlier, the confederation had criticised Infantino over a breach of trust related to an aborted plan to sell World Cup media rights for 4.2 billion dollars. At that time, the AFC had stood alongside UEFA and Concacaf in expressing opposition to the FIFA president.

According to The Guardian, Sheikh Salman embraced Infantino with a large hug during the announcement in Tokyo. The AFC represents 47 nations and its backing is considered significant for Infantino's re-election prospects. The endorsement marks a substantial shift from the confederation's earlier criticism of the FIFA president's handling of the failed investment plan.

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