Help from Asian federation bolsters FIFA’s Gianni Infantino as he seeks re-election as president for a fourth time period.
Revealed On 24 Oct 2026
FIFA president Gianni Infantino laughed off questions on whether or not he had thought-about resigning within the wake of the failed FIFA Ahead Enterprise (FFE) proposal, pointing to overwhelming assist from member associations across the globe.
Three months after dealing with calls to resign after he abandoned the proposal that sought private investment in a brand new entity controlling business rights linked to main FIFA competitions, Infantino now finds himself ready of energy.
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His prospects for re-election strengthened on Friday after the top of Asian soccer endorsed him for a fourth time period, with Asian Soccer Confederation (AFC) President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa saying Asia was united behind Infantino.
“I used to be elected by 211 member associations from all around the world. I believe what’s necessary is that in an organisation like FIFA, there will be completely different views, completely different factors of view,” Infantino advised the BBC as he laughed off a query about whether or not he had thought-about stepping down.
“But when we’re severe about democracy, concerning the democratic course of, about believing that everybody has the identical vote and the identical voice all around the world, that soccer belongs to everybody … then we have to respect as effectively the views of the huge, overwhelming majority.
“I’m simply coming again off Tokyo the place the Asian Soccer Confederation has absolutely endorsed me. I used to be in Cape Verde the place all African international locations have endorsed me. I’m chatting with all associations in all places on the planet.”
The AFC had beforehand joined European physique UEFA and CONCACAF, which represents North and Central America and the Caribbean, in criticising the FFE proposal.
However a divided CONCACAF and the AFC’s U-turn have left Europe more and more remoted whereas exposing the shortage of a viable various candidate for the FIFA presidency.
Infantino is in search of a fourth time period till 2031, and potential candidates should submit their nominations by November 18.
He apologised at a FIFA Council assembly in Zurich final week for the way in which the FFE proposal was dealt with, however that didn’t sway European soccer associations, corresponding to Germany and England.
Nonetheless, the 56-year-old Swiss-Italian administrator added: “It’s OK to disagree … however then we’d like to have the ability to transfer on.
“There are completely different factors of view. It’s not all the time straightforward to carry all of them below one roof, however we have to respect, and I do respect all opinions all views,” Infantino added.
“Then, it is going to be as much as the FIFA member associations to determine who they need as a president and the way they need FIFA to be run.”
