The official backing was confirmed by AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa during the confederation's extraordinary congress held in Tokyo on Friday, October 23, 2026.

With 47 member associations under its umbrella, the AFC represents a massive voting bloc, and securing widespread backing from this continent is widely viewed as a decisive step for any candidate aiming to command FIFA.

Candidates face a nomination deadline of November 18, and at present, no challenger has stepped forward to contest Infantino's bid for a fourth term.

Demonstrating solidarity before the gathered delegates, Sheikh Salman warmly embraced the FIFA boss and declared:

We affirm our full commitment to supporting you and your leadership as you seek a new mandate as the FIFA president.

The AFC chief added:

You've visited a lot of countries in Asia. I've spoken to a lot of members within this continent. I know your feeling, and I think your commitment is clear as well.

While acknowledging that not every single member association may vote identically, Sheikh Salman voiced strong confidence that most nations across the continent share this vision.

This public show of unity marks a remarkable turnaround in relations between Infantino and Asian football leaders.

Only two months earlier, the AFC had joined forces with European governing body UEFA and Concacaf to forcefully condemn Infantino over an ambitious $4.2 billion private investment scheme that proposed selling equity stakes in prime commercial tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup.

The continental bodies had accused Infantino of a “fundamental breach of trust” before the controversial project was scrapped amid widespread resistance.

Addressing the friction openly, Infantino recently apologized to the 37-member FIFA Council in Zurich for mistakes made during that venture.

Sheikh Salman welcomed the reconciliation in Tokyo, urging delegates to look toward future collaboration:

Gianni, I want to make it clear: yes, we had some issues we spoke about in the past. But let's not relate the two things together. I think the last few days we met in Zurich, you made it clear that there's a true understanding between us... What matters now is how we move forward together.

Infantino’s extensive global travels ahead of the ballot also became a lighthearted talking point during the congress.

Commending the incumbent's tireless outreach to football federations, Sheikh Salman quipped that Infantino seemed to be everywhere at once and joked that he might possess a “clone”, prompting laughter before reaffirming Asia's dedication:

As one Asian family, we are ready to move forward, united in your support, Gianni.

Addressing the congress, Infantino struck a reflective tone, acknowledging that administrative missteps do occur when managing ambitious global initiatives.

When you do many things, you do – hopefully, as we did, many good things – you do some mistakes as well,

Infantino remarked.

The important, however, is, as you said, to learn, to learn always from the experience, from the mistakes, to apologise, to move ahead, to come together, to unite, to build for our future, for your future.

Central to Infantino’s appeal among member federations—a matter that strikes a chord with developing football nations worldwide, including across Africa—is the dramatic expansion of FIFA development grants.

Underlining his financial stewardship, Infantino reminded delegates of the stark contrast in revenue sharing since taking office.

Before I started as FIFA president, each of you – some of you are still [here] and still remember that time – each of you was receiving $1m every four years,

he explained.

As of the first of January of next year, it will be $25m.

That massive twenty-fivefold surge in four-year development assistance has solidified Infantino's broad support base as the road to the March election draws closer.

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The Asian Football Confederation's endorsement delivers a commanding boost to Gianni Infantino’s re-election ambitions, proving that administrative apologies and substantially heightened development funds remain powerful unifiers in world football politics.

As the November 18 nomination cutoff approaches with no declared opponent in sight, Infantino appears firmly positioned to extend his tenure at football's highest office.

#Gianni Infantino #FIFA presidential election #AFC endorsement #Asian Football Confederation #FIFA president re-election