Infantino's re-election bid strengthens as AFC reverses stance despite UEFA and Concacaf opposition

Gianni Infantino’s bid for a third term as FIFA president has regained momentum after the Asian Football Confederation reversed its position and backed the Swiss-Italian, with AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa stating there is “a true understanding between us.” The shift comes despite sustained opposition from UEFA and Concacaf following Infantino’s failed attempt to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

Infantino requires 106 votes from FIFA’s 211 member associations to be re-elected at the March 2027 congress. His campaign had been severely damaged by the privatisation plan, which was ultimately abandoned after widespread backlash, but allies have since rallied around him. Mexico, Argentina, and CAF — the African football governing body — have all reaffirmed their support.

UEFA, representing 55 member associations, remains his most powerful opponent. The European governing body threatened a boycott of FIFA competitions before Infantino’s climbdown and has since taken legal action against him. UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis recently wrote to FIFA counterpart Mattias Grafstrom demanding documents covering a series of Infantino controversies, with FIFA given until 2 November to respond. UEFA has stated it has not received “assurances” that attempts to privatise the World Cup “will never be made again.”

Concacaf, representing 41 member associations across North America and the Caribbean, also formally withdrew its support, describing the sell-off plan as “a unilateral and egregious act of poor governance” and calling for “a comprehensive reckoning with this presidency.” England and Wales are among the individual football associations that have withdrawn their endorsements.

Despite the opposition bloc, the AFC’s reversal is a significant development. The confederation’s backing, combined with CAF’s continued support, means Infantino retains influence across large portions of the global membership. Whether that translates into the 106 votes needed for re-election will depend on how individual associations within those confederations ultimately cast their ballots.