Infantino gains AFC endorsement at Tokyo Congress, boosting re-election bid
Gianni Infantino's bid for re-election as Fifa president received a public endorsement from Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa at the AFC Congress in Tokyo on 23 October 2026, with Infantino in attendance.
Sheikh Salman acknowledged past disagreements but told the confederation's Congress that "we reaffirm our full commitment, of course, to supporting you as you seek a new mandate as president" and said it was time "to move forward". His support represents a reversal from two months earlier when he signed a joint letter with the heads of Uefa and Concacaf criticising Infantino over his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and accusing him of breaking trust "through deception" over the Fifa Forward Enterprise scheme.
The endorsement could affect the balance of votes at the Fifa presidential election in Rabat in March, where Uefa will have 55 votes, Africa 54, Asia 46, Concacaf 35, Oceania 11 and Conmebol 10. Alongside Infantino's established backing in Africa and South America, Asian support would be a significant component of a coalition needed to secure a fourth and final term.
Sheikh Salman elaborated on the shift in tone at the Tokyo meeting, saying: "I've spoken to a lot of members within this continent. I know your feeling and I think your commitment is clear as well. Your support to Gianni is very clear," he added. He also told delegates: "So that's why Gianni I want to make it clear: yes, we had some issues, we spoke about them in the past, but let's not relate the two things together. "
He continued: "The last few days we met in Zurich, you made it clear there was a clear understanding between us and that's why we're happy to have you here as well - we need to move forward. " He finished by saying: "As one Asian family, we are ready to move forward, united in your support, Gianni, I just want to make that clear."
At a meeting of Fifa's Council last week, Infantino apologised for his World Cup sell-off plan but failed to offer a full explanation for how the proposal was devised, and he proposed to increase the amount of money handed out for football development across the world by $3.4bn (£2.6bn). Uefa has since told Fifa it must release key documents and answer all questions relating to its governance and decision-making by 2 November.
The deadline for candidates to confirm they are standing against Infantino is 18 November and, as yet, none have filed, meaning he could stand unopposed at the Rabat election in March.
