The Asian Football Confederation has reversed its position on Gianni Infantino’s presidency, with Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa publicly endorsing his bid for a third term as FIFA president. The AFC leader’s declaration at Friday’s extraordinary congress in Tokyo—delivered with a physical embrace of Infantino before the assembled membership—marks a striking 180-degree turn from just two months ago, when the AFC had joined UEFA and CONCACAF in condemning the Swiss president’s failed attempt to introduce private investors into FIFA’s tournament governance.
Al-Khalifa’s support was framed as a validation of Infantino’s global vision, with the AFC president praising FIFA’s ‘strategic partnership’ in regional development. ‘This is proof of President Infantino’s vision that football development must not be centered on a single region; it must proceed worldwide,’ he stated, echoing arguments that had previously been dismissed as hollow by Infantino’s critics. The endorsement was reinforced by national federations within the AFC, including Indonesia’s Erick Thohir, whose earlier backing of the privatization plan now aligns with the confederation’s unified stance. The move follows a wave of defections from Latin American confederations—Mexico and Argentina among them—who had previously distanced themselves from Infantino’s leadership.
Infantino’s campaign has gained critical momentum as the February election approaches, with an Associated Press tally now showing 87 of FIFA’s 211 member federations in his corner. The largest opposition bloc remains Europe, where UEFA’s silence has been interpreted as tacit resistance, though no confederation has formally withdrawn support. The AFC’s reversal—coming after months of public criticism of Infantino’s ‘breach of trust’—suggests a pragmatic realignment rather than ideological conversion. The president’s offer of an independent review into FIFA’s decision-making processes may have played a role, though the speed of the AFC’s about-face underscores the shifting dynamics within world football governance.
The political calculus behind the AFC’s shift is complex. While Infantino’s privatization plan collapsed under scrutiny, his allies have pivoted to emphasize continuity and stability—a message that resonates with confederations seeking to avoid further instability. The embrace between Al-Khalifa and Infantino at Tokyo’s congress was not merely symbolic; it signaled the end of a prolonged standoff and the beginning of a renewed alliance. For Infantino, the endorsement is a tactical victory, consolidating support in Asia while isolating Europe as the sole dissenting force. The question now is whether this unity will hold as the election nears, or if deeper divisions will resurface once the votes are cast.
The AFC’s about-face also raises questions about the sustainability of Infantino’s leadership. His ability to navigate regional tensions—particularly with Europe—will determine whether his third term is secured or if the presidency remains a battleground. The confederations’ shifting allegiances reflect the broader fragmentation within FIFA, where traditional power structures are being tested by new alliances. One thing is clear: the AFC’s endorsement has reshaped the electoral landscape, leaving Infantino with a narrower but more cohesive path to reelection—if he can maintain the momentum.
