At an extraordinary congress in Tokyo on Friday, the president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced the body’s endorsement of Gianni Infantino for another term as FIFA president. Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa embraced Infantino onstage, a symbolic gesture that underscored the AFC’s new stance and could prove decisive as the global governing body prepares for its March election.
AFC’s abrupt reversal
The AFC, representing 47 member associations across the continent, has the potential to sway the outcome of the FIFA vote. While Sheikh Salman acknowledged that not every Asian member may follow the endorsement, he suggested that the majority would align with his declaration, thereby bolstering Infantino’s path to a fourth term.
This public support marks a stark contrast to the AFC’s position just two months earlier. At that time, the Asian federation, together with its European counterpart and the North and Central American confederation, accused Infantino of a “fundamental breach of trust.” The allegations were linked to a now‑scrapped $4.2 billion plan that would have sold a stake in FIFA events, including the World Cup, to private investors. Infantino later issued an apology in Zurich to FIFA’s 37‑member ruling council, acknowledging “mistakes” in the design of that proposal.
During his speech, Sheikh Salman referenced the past dispute but chose not to elaborate on the specifics. He said, “Yes, we had some issues we spoke about in the past, but let’s not relate the two things together.” He added that recent meetings in Zurich had clarified the relationship between the two leaders, emphasizing a shared desire to move forward.
Infantino’s response and financial promises
Following Sheikh Salman’s endorsement, Infantino took the podium and kept his remarks light, yet he did not shy away from acknowledging past errors. He said, “When you do many things, you do – hopefully, as we did, many good things – you do some mistakes as well.” He stressed the importance of learning from those mistakes, apologising, and uniting for the future of football.
Infantino also used the opportunity to highlight a financial uplift for FIFA’s member associations. He recalled that before his tenure, many federations received $1 million every four years. He announced that, beginning 1 January of the next year, that figure would rise to $25 million, a substantial increase that he framed as a benefit of his continued leadership.
The AFC president’s remarks included a light‑hearted comment about Infantino’s travel schedule, noting that the FIFA chief had visited “almost every country” and joking that perhaps he had a “clone.” The audience responded with laughter and applause, underscoring the cordial tone of the gathering.
Implications for the March election
The FIFA election is slated for March, with a filing deadline of 18 November for any challenger to Infantino. To date, no candidate has submitted paperwork, leaving Infantino as the sole declared contender. The AFC’s endorsement, therefore, carries significant weight, especially given the confederation’s large voting bloc.
Sheikh Salman’s statement, “We affirm our full commitment to supporting you and your leadership as you seek a new mandate as the FIFA president,” signals a unified front from the Asian football family. He added, “As one Asian family, we are ready to move forward, united in your support, Gianni.” The repeated emphasis on unity and forward momentum suggests an effort to consolidate regional backing ahead of the global vote.
While the AFC president admitted that not every member may follow the endorsement, the implication is that the majority will, potentially delivering a decisive block of votes. This development follows a period of tension between the AFC and FIFA leadership, making the endorsement a noteworthy shift in the political landscape of world football.
Infantino’s campaign, as reflected in FIFA’s media communications, has highlighted his global travel itinerary and promises of increased financial support to both small and large football nations. The promise of raising annual disbursements from $1 million to $25 million per four‑year cycle is positioned as a tangible benefit of his continued presidency.
Analysts observing the situation note that the AFC’s backing could influence other regional bodies, given the precedent of coordinated endorsements in previous elections. However, the source material does not provide details on the positions of other confederations, leaving the ultimate impact of the Asian endorsement to be seen in the March vote.
In summary, the AFC’s sudden endorsement of Gianni Infantino marks a dramatic policy reversal after earlier accusations of a breach of trust. By publicly supporting the incumbent president and promising to move forward together, the Asian federation adds a powerful regional voice to Infantino’s campaign for a fourth term. With no challengers filed and the election deadline approaching, the AFC’s stance may prove pivotal in shaping the outcome of FIFA’s next leadership election.
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