Advantage Infantino as AFC backing puts FIFA president on track for fourth term

Oct 23 : FIFA President Gianni Infantino's reelection prospects have strengthened significantly after the head of Asian football endorsed his bid for a fourth term, leaving Europe increasingly isolated and exposing the lack of a credible challenger.

Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa's endorsement, delivered at the AFC extraordinary congress in Tokyo on Friday, marked a striking reconciliation with Infantino.

Sheikh Salman had joined UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and CONCACAF chief Victor Montagliani in criticising the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, which sought private investment in a new entity controlling commercial rights linked to major FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.

Their public opposition, followed by calls for Infantino to resign, raised questions about whether the FIFA president's previously solid support base was beginning to fracture.

But Sheikh Salman told the AFC's congress that Asia was united behind Infantino, two months after the confederation accused him of a "fundamental breach of trust" over the venture.

The turnaround has significantly narrowed the path for any challenger ahead of the March election.

ELECTORAL ARITHMETIC

Asia has 47 member associations, although only 46 are FIFA members eligible to vote in the presidential election. Each national federation has one vote in the FIFA election regardless of the country's size or its football pedigree.

Infantino had already secured support from Africa's 54-member confederation, where he has enjoyed strong relationships throughout his presidency.

South America's CONMEBOL has only 10 votes but did not join calls for his resignation, while most of Oceania's associations are also expected to remain in