--- title: "Infantino endorsed by AFC for re-election as FIFA president" description: "Most outlets led with the Asian Football Confederation's endorsement of Gianni Infantino for another term as FIFA president. Dawn included a direct quote from Infantino stating he has the support of the “vast majority” of member associations, while also noting criticism of his World Cup expansion plan. The Daily Times highlighted the AFC's shift in stance from earlier criticism. Both excerpts mention the AFC's change in position but frame the significance differently." url: https://harzaviya.com/stories/16018-asian-football-endorses-infantino-re-election-as-fifa site: HarZaviya language: en --- # Infantino endorsed by AFC for re-election as FIFA president sports · updated 24 Oct 2026, 8:26 PM PKT · 23–24 Oct 2026 · 8 articles from 8 outlets over 2 developments ## How it developed Newest development first. Each carries its own coverage and, where we have one, our summary of it. ### 24 Oct 2026 — Infantino endorsed by AFC for re-election as FIFA president (2 outlets) > Most outlets led with the Asian Football Confederation's endorsement of Gianni Infantino for another term as FIFA president. Dawn included a direct quote from Infantino stating he has the support of the “vast majority” of member associations, while also noting criticism of his World Cup expansion plan. The Daily Times highlighted the AFC's shift in stance from earlier criticism. Both excerpts mention the AFC's change in position but frame the significance differently. - **Dawn** — [Infantino says backed by 'vast majority' in bid for re-election](https://www.dawn.com/news/2039508/infantino-says-backed-by-vast-majority-in-bid-for-re-election) · 24 Oct 2026, 8:26 PM PKT > FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said he has the backing of the “vast, vast majority” of member associations in his bid for re-election despite criticism of his aborted World Cup selloff plan. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) rallied behind Infantino on Friday in a significant boost to the 56-year-old’s hopes of winning a fourth term in charge. Infantino’s future in the role was in dou... - **Daily Times** — [Infantino endorsed by AFC for another term as FIFA president](https://dailytimes.com.pk/1571482/infantino-endorsed-by-afc-for-another-term-as-fifa-president/) · 24 Oct 2026, 8:54 AM PKT · 77% identical wording to the newest filing > The Asian Football Confederation has endorsed Gianni Infantino for another term as FIFA president in an apparent turnaround in its stance from two months ago when it criticized the head of soccer´s world governing body for a breach of trust. AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, speaking at the body´s extraordinary congress meeting […] ### 23 Oct 2026 — Asian Football Confederation backs Infantino's re-election bid (6 outlets) > Most outlets reported that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) endorsed Gianni Infantino's re-election as FIFA president. Several also noted that this came after the AFC had previously opposed Infantino's plan to sell commercial rights to FIFA tournaments. A few outlets highlighted the reversal in stance as a significant development, while others framed it as a boost to Infantino’s campaign. - **Minute Mirror** — [Asian football backs Infantino for re-election as FIFA president](https://minutemirror.com.pk/asian-football-backs-infantino-for-re-election-as-fifa-president-649897/) · 23 Oct 2026, 7:28 PM PKT > The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Friday endorsed Gianni Infantino’s bid for a fourth term as FIFA president, reversing course two months after joining European and North and Central American football bodies in criticising his leadership. - **The News International** — [Gianni Infantino re-election bid gets a boost from Asia after u-turn](https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1421025-gianni-infantino-re-election-bid-gets-a-boost-from-asia-after-u-turn) · 23 Oct 2026, 4:36 PM PKT · 84% identical wording to the newest filing > Gianni Infantino’s hopes of being re-elected as FIFA president have been significantly bolstered by the head of the Asian Football Confederation.According to President Sheikh Salman bin Al Khalifa, the confederation’s... - **ARY News (English)** — [Asian football endorses Infantino re-election as FIFA president](https://arynews.tv/asian-football-endorses-infantino-re-election-as-fifa-president) · 23 Oct 2026, 2:23 PM PKT · 88% identical wording to the newest filing > The head of the Asian Football Confederation on Friday said the region supported Gianni Infantino's bid for re-election as FIFA president following fierce criticism of his aborted World Cup selloff plan. - **The Express Tribune** — [AFC backs Infantino’s re-election bid](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636521/afc-backs-infantinos-re-election-bid) · 23 Oct 2026, 12:14 PM PKT · 84% identical wording to the newest filing > FIFA boss sets his sights on another term - **Dunya News** — [Asian Football Confederation boss says governing body is backing Infantino](https://dunyanews.tv/en/Sports/979189-asian-football-confederation-boss-says-governing-body-is-backing-infan) · 23 Oct 2026, 8:58 AM PKT · 74% identical wording to the newest filing > Sheikh Salman had previously backed opposition to Infantino's failed plan to sell off the commercial rights to FIFA tournaments - **Business Recorder** — [Asian Football Confederation boss says governing body will back FIFA President Infantino's re-election bid](https://www.brecorder.com/news/40445588/asian-football-confederation-boss-says-governing-body-will-back-fifa-president-infantinos-re-election-bid) · 23 Oct 2026, 8:19 AM PKT · 84% identical wording to the newest filing > TOKYO: Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin ​Ibrahim Al Khalifa said ‌on Friday the governing body would support Gianni Infantino’s bid ​to be re-elected FIFA ​President. “I think that we reaffirm ⁠our full commitment, of ​course, to supporting you and ​your leadership as you seek a new mandate as FIFA President,” ​Sheikh Salman said in ​his opening remarks at the AFC’s extr... ## Part of a bigger story Other stories whose coverage resembles this one, nearest first. "% related" compares whole stories, not single articles — see [what the percentages mean](https://harzaviya.com/methodology). - [FIFA confirms Infantino will seek re-election in March 2027](https://harzaviya.com/stories/6844-president-infantino-will-seek-re-election-in-march-says-fifa) · 7 Sep 2026 · 9 outlets · 84% related - [Infantino receives support from African football administrators](https://harzaviya.com/stories/1805-infantino-gets-backing-from-leading-african-football) · 4 Aug 2026 · 3 outlets · 82% related - [Six Arab football federations back FIFA President Infantino amid organisational crisis](https://harzaviya.com/stories/3100-arab-football-leaders-back-fifa-president-gianni-infantino) · 14 Aug 2026 · 4 outlets · 2 developments · 80% related - [Infantino's future to be decided by election, says Motsepe](https://harzaviya.com/stories/3091-infantino-future-should-be-decided-by-election-says-african) · 13 Aug 2026 · 3 outlets · 78% related - [FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces leadership and personal allegations](https://harzaviya.com/stories/2358-fifa-controversy) · 9 Aug 2026 · 8 outlets · 78% related 8 articles from 8 outlets, 23–24 Oct 2026. 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