Asian football endorses Infantino re-election in apparent U-turn
The Asian Football Confederation has officially endorsed FIFA President Gianni Infantino for re-election, marking a shift from their previous criticism of his leadership. This support provides a major boost to Infantino's bid for a fourth term.
Why it matters
The endorsement is a critical political development within global sports governance, influencing the future direction of FIFA's leadership and policies.
Asian football endorses Infantino re-election in apparent U-turn left FIFA President Gianni Infantino. File Reuters Reuters https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/rqzn65/article71617951.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/2026-10-23T214632Z_953935094_RC2Z6MAXLC31_RTRMADP_3_MOROCCO-ECONOMY.JPG KAI PFAFFENBACH FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 16 - Canada v Morocco - Houston Stadium, Houston, Texas, U.S. - July 4, 2026 Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa and FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the stands before the match REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo The 56-year-old Swiss was present at a Tokyo meeting of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) when president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa gave his unequivocal backing, in a significant boost to Infantino’s prospects of extending his reign Tokyo The head of Asian football on Friday (October 23, 2026) said the region supported Gianni Infantino's bid for re-election as FIFA president, weeks after stinging criticism over his aborted World Cup selloff plan.
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