A decade after a dramatic confrontation at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress over FIFA’s governance, AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa faces a significant decline in his influence within Asian football. The fallout centers on his ongoing dispute with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and has revealed deep fractures in AFC’s internal alliances.
The tension began in September 2016, when Infantino’s decision to bar a Qatari official from FIFA Council elections triggered walkouts at the AFC Congress in Goa. At the time, Salman portrayed the event as a demonstration of regional solidarity against FIFA; Infantino characterized it as an example of democracy in action. However, in recent months, a joint complaint from the AFC, Europe’s UEFA, and the Americas’ Concacaf challenged Infantino’s leadership over a controversial proposal to sell a stake in FIFA’s new events division, FIFA Forward Enterprise. The letter, sent in August 2026, accused Infantino of poor judgment and an autocratic approach to managing world football.
Despite Sheikh Salman’s efforts to rally AFC members behind him, support within Asia has largely dissipated. Only a few federations, including Palestine, Jordan, Iran, and reportedly Football Australia, have endorsed his position. Major Asian football powers have instead aligned themselves with Infantino, significantly weakening Salman’s standing. Qatar’s initial opposition gave way after a defiant response from Salman, but subsequently, leading Gulf states—the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia—publicly sided with FIFA. Infantino subsequently conducted a regional tour, securing backing from countries including Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Macau, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia, further isolating Salman.
The decisive blow emerged from within Salman’s own sphere of influence. The Union of Arab Football Associations, representing 22 Arab nations, along with the Gulf Football Federation, expressed support for FIFA’s position. Notably, Bahrain—Salman’s home country and member association—was part of this pro-FIFA cohort, underscoring his weakening power base.
Over the years, the AFC has faced scrutiny over internal governance and ethics. Critics cite a history of alleged corruption, including accusations against Sheikh Ahmed Al Sabah, a former influential Asian football official implicated in bribery and election manipulation scandals involving figures like Guam FA president Richard Lai. Lai admitted in a U.S. prosecution to accepting over $850,000 to sway AFC politics. Vahid Kardany, now deputy general secretary and a close Salman ally, was also implicated in related investigations.
The AFC has witnessed several controversial decisions that fueled dissatisfaction among members: elimination of term limits on executive roles, criticism over the handling of women’s football tournaments, and relaxed financial controls on development funds. The recent leak of the AFC Nations League plans and the selection of Saudi Arabia and Qatar to host World Cup qualification matches—providing them with perceived competitive advantages—further antagonized several member nations, including Indonesia, Oman, the UAE, and Iraq.
This accumulation of grievances has eroded Salman’s once-solid support network, leaving his leadership prospects uncertain as he aims for a fourth term in office. Facing increasing isolation, Salman issued a letter seeking compromise, proposing to forestall an independent review of FIFA’s governance while resisting calls for a comprehensive overhaul. The move is seen as an attempt to salvage his position amid growing opposition.
Salman’s precarious situation illustrates a shift in Asian football politics, with major members and FIFA itself now largely distancing themselves from his leadership. The evolving dynamic underscores the challenges AFC leadership faces in maintaining unity and navigating global football governance amid ongoing allegations of corruption and political maneuvering.