Infantino Secures 211 Votes After Asian Bloc Switches Allegiance

FIFA President Gianni Infantino claims to hold the support of 211 member associations for a fourth term.

This backing follows a decisive shift by the Asian Football Confederation, which had previously opposed the president.

The change in position occurred on Friday when AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa endorsed Infantino.

Sheikh Salman stated that Asia is united behind Infantino for the upcoming election.

Infantino cited this number in a BBC interview, noting he was elected by associations from all over the world.

He argued that while FIFA contains different viewpoints, democracy requires respecting the vast majority.

The president recently returned from Tokyo and Cape Verde, where regional bodies gave him their full support.

His position improved after the AFC reversed its earlier stance against the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.

The FFE plan sought private investment for a new entity controlling commercial rights for major competitions.

Infantino abandoned the proposal, which led to calls for him to step down about three months ago.

The AFC had previously joined UEFA and CONCACAF in criticizing the FFE plan.

A divided CONCACAF and the AFC's endorsement have left European bodies increasingly isolated in their opposition. "The shift also highlights the lack of a viable alternative candidate for the presidency. "Nominations for the election are due by November 18, with the next term running until 2031. "Infantino apologized at a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich last week for how the FFE proposal was handled. "That apology did not change the minds of European associations, including those of Germany and England. "The 56-year-old Swiss-Italian administrator said it is acceptable to disagree, but the organization must move forward. "He stated that member associations will decide who leads FIFA and how it is run.