FIFA President Infantino Claims 211 Member Associations Back Fourth Term

Gianni Infantino stated on Friday that he has secured the support of 211 member associations for a bid to lead FIFA until 2031. The announcement follows the Asian Football Confederation's formal endorsement of his candidacy for a fourth term. Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the AFC president, confirmed that the continent is united behind Infantino.

The shift in support has altered the political balance within the global football governing body. Previously, the AFC aligned with European counterparts in criticizing the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal. That plan sought private investment for an entity to control commercial rights for major competitions. Infantino abandoned the initiative after it faced heavy opposition. The withdrawal triggered calls for his resignation approximately three months ago.

Infantino addressed those calls in a recent BBC interview. When asked if he had considered stepping down, he laughed and noted his mandate comes from a global majority. He emphasized that while different viewpoints exist within FIFA, those who value democracy must respect the decisions of the vast majority of nations. He noted his recent return from Tokyo and Cape Verde, where African nations also voiced their support.

European football associations remain the most vocal critics of the president. The German and English federations, among others, have not softened their stance following Infantino's apology at a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich last week. He apologized for how the FFE proposal was handled, though the gesture did not change the European position. The lack of a clear alternative candidate has left European dissenters isolated without a concrete rival to nominate.

Infantino, a 56-year-old Swiss-Italian administrator, adopted a conciliatory tone regarding the ongoing disagreements. He stated that while it is acceptable to disagree, the organization must now move forward. He deferred the final decision to the member associations, who will determine the next president and the direction of FIFA. Nominations for the upcoming election are due by November 18.