Infantino’s re-election a ‘foregone conclusion’, says AFC official

African Football Confederation vice-president Hashem Haidar has declared that re-electing Fifa president Gianni Infantino is a "foregone conclusion." Haidar, who is also the president of the Lebanese Football Federation, expressed full and public support for Infantino at an event in Lebanon. Infantino had initially faced criticism and calls for resignation following his plan to sell off commercial interests in the World Cup, which was revealed in July.

Initially, opposition came from the European confederation UEFA, Concacaf in North America, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). However, the AFC has since changed its stance and endorsed Infantino, leading to a strong position for him to secure re-election for his fourth and final term as Fifa president in March. Despite opposition from Japanese Football Association honorary president Kozo Tashima, who announced plans to stand against Infantino, Haidar believes Tashima lacks the necessary global support.