The Asian Football Confederation officially threw its support behind [Gianni Infantino](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianni_Infantino)’s bid for a fourth term as [FIFA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA) president during a meeting in Tokyo on Friday, signalling a reversal from its earlier criticism of his private‑investment proposal for the World Cup.
The 56‑year‑old Swiss official was present at the [Asian Football Confederation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_Football_Confederation) extraordinary congress where president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al‑Khalifa declared the continent’s unequivocal backing, a development that could strengthen Infantino’s prospects ahead of the March election.
“I think we reaffirm our full commitment to supporting you and your leadership as you seek a new mandate as FIFA president,” Sheikh Salman said, adding that his many visits to Asian nations had shown Infantino’s clear dedication.
He also acknowledged past disagreements, noting, “Gianni, yes, we had some issues we spoke about in the past, but let’s not relate the two things together. We need to move forward… football is strongest when we work together.”
Infantino thanked the AFC, stating, “We have seen the transformation that Asian football, and as a consequence world football, has undergone in recent years. It has become truly global and inclusive, and that would not have been possible without a strong, united, and committed Asia.”
The AFC’s change of heart follows an August joint condemnation, together with UEFA and CONCACAF, of Infantino’s plan to open FIFA’s flagship tournaments, including the World Cup, to private investors – a move that sparked calls for his resignation and saw several European associations withdraw support.
Despite the European backlash, Infantino retains backing from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and most of CONMEBOL, while individual members of CONCACAF such as Kuwait and the 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar have also voiced support, as has Saudi Arabia, the future host of the 2034 World Cup.
The deadline for candidates to file their nomination papers is 18 November, and so far no heavyweight challenger has stepped forward, leaving Infantino as the clear front‑runner for the March 2026 FIFA presidential election.
If the AFC’s endorsement holds, it could tip the balance of continental support back in Infantino’s favour, reinforcing his claim that football thrives when its governing bodies act in unity.