Infantino Confident After AFC Backing for FIFA Re-election Bid
FIFA president Gianni Infantino says he is confident about re-election after winning the backing of Asian football for a fourth term. The Infantino AFC support came on Friday, when Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa backed the 56-year-old Swiss-Italian administrator.
Infantino is bidding for a fourth term that would run until 2031. The date for potential candidates to submit nominations is November 18, and he now enters that window with Asia and Africa behind him.
What Infantino said
Speaking to the BBC, Infantino laughed off a question about whether he had thought of stepping down. He pointed to his mandate from the world game, saying he was elected by 211 member associations.
“I was elected by 211 member associations from all over the world. I think what is important is that in an organisation like FIFA, there can be different views, different points of view,” he said.
He added that democracy means respecting the views of the vast majority, and he listed his recent stops as proof of his support. “I’m just coming back off Tokyo where the Asian Football Confederation has fully endorsed me. I was in Cape Verde where all African countries have endorsed me. I’m speaking to all associations everywhere in the world.”
He also struck a calmer note about his critics. “It’s OK to disagree … but then we need to be able to move on,” he said. “There are different points of view. It’s not always easy to bring them all under one roof, but we need to respect and I do respect all opinions all views. Then it will be up to the FIFA member associations to decide who they want as a president and how they want FIFA to be run.”
Infantino AFC support: why the AFC backing matters
The AFC endorsement is a turnround. The confederation had earlier criticised the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, along with UEFA and CONCACAF, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean. That plan, which would have sold a stake in FIFA tournaments including the World Cup, failed three months ago and led to calls for Infantino to step down.
Infantino apologised at a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich last week, but that did not calm football associations in Europe such as Germany and England. Now, with CONCACAF divided and the AFC changing course, Europe looks increasingly isolated, and no viable alternative candidate has emerged, according to the report.
That leaves Infantino in a position of strength heading into the nomination deadline. Asian support alone does not win an election, since each member association holds one vote, but it removes a large bloc from the opposition and signals to smaller associations that the incumbent still commands broad backing.
What happens next
The key date is November 18, when nominations close. If no strong challenger steps forward by then, Infantino’s path to a fourth term will look clear. If a challenger does emerge, the fight will centre on the failed stake-sale plan and on how FIFA shares its income with member associations.
For Pakistan, the story matters through the AFC link. The Pakistan Football Federation votes in the AFC bloc, and the confederation’s stance shapes how Asian football, including Pakistan’s teams, is run. Infantino’s fate will also shape the calendar and funding that filter down to member associations.
Football news has been busy this weekend. Nicolas Jackson scored twice as Aston Villa beat Manchester City 2-1, while Mikel Arteta has raised concerns over Bukayo Saka’s quad injury. Jose Mourinho has returned for the Clasico showdown as Real Madrid target Barcelona, and Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has backed Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman for the tri-series decider.
Frequently asked questions
What backing has Gianni Infantino won?
He has won full endorsement from the Asian Football Confederation, after earlier backing from African associations in Cape Verde.
How long would a fourth term last?
Infantino is bidding for a fourth term that would run until 2031.
When do FIFA presidential nominations close?
The date for potential candidates to submit nominations is November 18.
Why did Infantino face calls to step down?
He faced calls to step down after the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which would have sold a stake in FIFA tournaments including the World Cup, failed three months ago.
Source: Geo Super.
