Gianni Infantino is set to secure a fourth term as FIFA president after the Asian Football Confederation officially pledged its backing, despite widespread criticism over his plan to sell stakes in a company running the World Cup to private investors.
The Asian confederation's endorsement was confirmed by its president, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, at the Congress in Bangkok. This follows months of pressure on Infantino, which intensified in July when it emerged he had sidelined the FIFA Council and national associations over the private investor plan.
Asian support solidifies Infantino's position
Sheikh Salman told the Congress: "Our greatest strength lies in our unity, and we have all seen the historic heights Asian football can achieve when we stand together. The Asian game's remarkable journey and historic achievements are deeply rooted in the strong partnership, trust, and shared vision that we share as one united family. As we look toward a brighter and more competitive future, our solidarity remains our greatest strength. We are ready to move forward, united in support of FIFA president Gianni Infantino."
Earlier this year, Sheikh Salman had co-signed a letter with counterparts at UEFA and CONCACAF - covering North and Central American nations plus the Caribbean - criticising the plan. At that time, it was understood he believed Infantino should resign.
Since then, Infantino has consolidated support, winning unanimous backing in Africa and from key Asian nations including Qatar and Saudi Arabia. He can also count on support in South America and Oceania.
European opposition remains
Opposition to Infantino is now largely centred in Europe. UEFA said in August it had lost confidence in Infantino over the private investor plan and pledged to identify a credible alternative candidate to stand against him in the election in Morocco next March. The deadline for candidates to be submitted is November 18.
Earlier this week, UEFA wrote to FIFA seeking answers to questions linked to Infantino's leadership, including the private investor plan, the World Cup final half-time show, and the tournament's hydration breaks. Also queried was his handling of the Folarin Balogun case - the American striker whose red card ban was suspended, allowing him to continue playing following a direct appeal to Infantino by US President Donald Trump.
Fans' petition calls for resignation
Supporters' groups worldwide have launched a petition calling for Infantino to resign and for wholesale reform of football's governing body. The petition, which has 44,000 signatures, calls for formal involvement of supporters and other key football stakeholders in decisions shaping the game's future.
A statement on behalf of the fan organisations said: "The shameful attempt by one individual - the FIFA president himself - to sell off the World Cup to private investors exposed a betrayal football will never forget. Infantino's plan was stitched together in secret. Negotiated behind closed doors. Hidden from FIFA's own members and from the millions of people whose passion makes football what it is."
The statement added: "A president who repeatedly betrays football and makes a mockery of our game has lost the right to lead it. For the credibility of FIFA and for the future of the game he must resign."
Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe, which is a signatory, said: "The departure of Gianni Infantino is a first and a must, but that can only have a positive impact if it's followed by some reform of the office and of governance. If a man can concentrate so many powers then the governance of FIFA is not fit for purpose. FIFA needs to start from scratch."
He added: "All the reforms from 2016 have been erased or made irrelevant by Infantino. We need to be as open-minded as possible on the future of football governance and there are other models outside football, outside sport, that need to be looked into – the idea of rotating presidencies seems interesting."
