TOKYO — Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa has thrown the regional body’s support behind Gianni Infantino’s bid for reelection as FIFA president, signaling a mending of ties weeks after a public rift over the governing body’s commercial strategy.
Speaking at the AFC’s extraordinary congress in Tokyo on Friday, the Bahraini official directly addressed the Swiss-Italian incumbent, who was in attendance, to confirm the continent’s backing.
A Public Endorsement in Tokyo
“I think that we reaffirm our full commitment, of course, to supporting you and your leadership as you seek a new mandate as a FIFA president,” Sheikh Salman said in his opening remarks.
He added that Infantino had traveled extensively across Asia and that the two had held discussions with numerous member associations across the continent. “I know your feeling. And I think your commitment is clear as well. Your support to Gianni is very clear,” he said.
Infantino is seeking a fourth term in the March election, which would extend his leadership of world football’s governing body through 2031.
Behind the Show of Unity
The endorsement follows an unusually public confrontation over FIFA’s governance and finances. Sheikh Salman had previously joined the presidents of UEFA and CONCACAF in signing an open letter that described the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan — Infantino’s proposal to sell off the commercial rights to FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, to private investors — as a “fundamental breach of trust.”
The plan was ultimately abandoned. At this month’s FIFA Council, Infantino issued an apology and asked attendees to submit any questions about his governance in writing so he could respond at the next meeting.
What the Support Means
The AFC’s formal backing carries significant weight, given that Asia represents one of FIFA’s largest blocs of member associations. Sheikh Salman’s remarks suggest that despite the recent dispute over commercial rights, the region’s leadership is prepared to consolidate behind Infantino rather than contest his leadership ahead of the March vote.
- Sheikh Salman confirmed the AFC’s “full commitment” to Infantino’s leadership.
- The endorsement comes weeks after the AFC joined UEFA and CONCACAF in opposing the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan.
- Infantino is pursuing a fourth term through 2031 in the March election.
- Infantino apologized at this month’s FIFA Council and invited written questions on governance.
The episode underscores the delicate balance within FIFA’s political structure, where regional confederations can publicly challenge the president on policy while ultimately aligning behind his leadership when the electoral stakes arise.
