Infantino set to take his FIFA re-election rodeo to Japan to court Asian soccer federations

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 21, 2026

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is actively courting Asian soccer federations in Japan to secure the majority needed for his re-election in March, following his apology over a failed $4.2 billion World Cup broadcasting rights proposal. With Asian support seen as crucial, Infantino faces both backing and opposition within the region, highlighting deep divisions ahead of a vote that could shape FIFA’s leadership and governance reforms.

Gianni Infantino, the incumbent president of FIFA, is set to advance his re-election campaign this week by engaging with Asian soccer federations in Japan. A meeting with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is scheduled for Wednesday at a luxury hotel in Tokyo, with media access reportedly limited.

This outreach follows Infantino’s recent apology last week in Zurich to FIFA’s 37-member ruling council, which he chairs, concerning errors made during the development of a now-canceled $4.2 billion proposal to sell World Cup broadcasting and commercial rights via a subsidiary. The FIFA Council, comprising officials from around the world, is the organization’s primary decision-making body.

Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, president of the AFC, initially voiced opposition to Infantino’s subsidiary plan but appears to have softened his position, according to reports. Infantino has pledged an independent and transparent review process to address concerns about FIFA’s governance practices.

An analysis of member federation support shows Infantino nearing the simple majority of 106 votes required from FIFA’s 211 national associations to secure a fourth term when the presidential election takes place in March. Asian federations are seen as a pivotal bloc in determining the outcome.

While the AFC collectively criticized Infantino following the proposed World Cup commercialization plan, member positions within the region remain divided. Qatar, host of the 2022 World Cup, has publicly supported Infantino, whereas Jordan has expressed opposition. The FIFA Council’s next meeting is scheduled for December 16 in Doha.

Current assessments indicate that 87 of the 211 FIFA member federations have offered varying levels of endorsement for Infantino, either through individual statements or regional confederation backing. Opposition primarily stems from European nations, which form the largest dissenting group.

Since 1974, no sitting FIFA president has been defeated in a re-election bid. Potential challengers must submit candidacies by November 18 and comply with FIFA’s regulations requiring candidates to have been actively involved in association football in some official capacity for at least two of the five years preceding their nomination. Additionally, a candidate must secure written support from a minimum of five member associations.

Observers of global soccer governance highlight the entrenched patronage system within FIFA. Jules Boykoff, a political scientist and former professional player, described FIFA as distributing vast World Cup revenues to federations worldwide in exchange for loyalty, often without rigorous oversight. He emphasized that significant structural reforms are needed to address the organization’s challenges.

As Infantino continues to court support among Asian federations and others globally, the leadership contest is shaping up to be a critical moment for FIFA’s future administration.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.