FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s bid for a fourth term has received a major boost after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) endorsed his re-election, despite lingering criticism over his abandoned proposal to attract private investment into the commercial rights of football competitions.

Infantino said he had the backing of the “vast, vast majority” of FIFA member associations as he prepares for the presidential election scheduled for March 2027. He made the remarks in an interview with the BBC, insisting that differing opinions within world football should be respected.

The AFC announced its support for Infantino at an extraordinary congress in Tokyo on Friday, October 23. Its president, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, reaffirmed the confederation’s commitment to supporting Infantino as he seeks another mandate.

The endorsement marks a significant shift from the AFC’s earlier position. In August, the Asian body joined the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and CONCACAF, which oversees football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, in criticising Infantino over the proposed private investment project.

The plan, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise, was abandoned after drawing strong opposition from football officials who raised concerns about consultation, governance and the proposed sale of a stake in commercial rights linked to FIFA competitions. Infantino later apologised to FIFA’s ruling council over the handling of the proposal.

Speaking after receiving the Asian confederation’s backing, Infantino said he had also received support from African football associations and was continuing discussions with member associations around the world. He maintained that FIFA’s democratic process requires respect for different viewpoints, with each member association entitled to a vote.

However, opposition to his leadership has not disappeared. Several European football associations have expressed concerns over the abandoned investment plan, while officials from UEFA have questioned FIFA’s handling of the process. The confederations’ positions do not automatically determine how every member association will vote in the election.

The deadline for candidates to submit nominations is November 18, with no challenger reported to have formally emerged at the time of the latest reports. Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, is seeking another term that would extend his presidency into 2031 if re-elected.

AFP