Infantino's fourth term all but locked in as Asian bloc seals 211 vote majority

211 member associations back the current FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, in his bid for a fourth term. He made the claim in a BBC interview, stating that the vote count represents the overwhelming support of football's global network.

Infantino's position has strengthened in recent weeks after a major shift in international support. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) formally endorsed his candidacy on Friday. AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa stated that the region is united behind Infantino for another term.

This endorsement follows a similar move by African nations. Infantino reported that he recently returned from Tokyo, where the AFC gave its full backing. He also cited support from Cape Verde, where all African countries aligned with his campaign. These developments contrast with the stance of European football bodies, which had previously criticized his leadership.

The change in momentum stems from the failure of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal. Infantino abandoned the plan, which sought private investment for a new entity controlling commercial rights. The controversy led to calls for his resignation approximately three months ago. He apologized for the handling of the proposal at a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich last week, though European associations from Germany and England remained critical.

Infantino brushed aside questions about potential resignation during the interview. He laughed when asked if he had considered stepping down. He argued that in a democratic organization with equal votes for every nation, the views of the vast majority must be respected. He noted that he is currently speaking with associations worldwide to secure further backing.

The re-election timeline is moving quickly. Potential candidates must submit their nominations by November 18. A fourth term would extend Infantino's leadership through 2031. He struck a conciliatory tone regarding the remaining disagreements, saying it is okay to disagree but necessary to move forward.

He emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with FIFA's member associations. Infantino, a 56-year-old Swiss-Italian administrator, said the members will decide who they want as president and how they want the organization to be run. The lack of a unified alternative candidate has further solidified his standing among the voting blocs.