{
  "id": 16165679,
  "title": "Asian football chief backs Gianni Infantino's Fifa presidency bid",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/asian-football-chief-backs-gianni-infantinos-fifa-presidency-bid",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-23T08:44:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2026/10/23/asian-football-chief-backs-gianni-infantinos-fifa-presidency-bid/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced its backing for Gianni Infantino's bid for re-election as FIFA president. This comes after the regional body previously opposed Infantino's proposal to sell commercial rights to world tournaments. AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa stated that the regional body reaffirms its full commitment to supporting Infantino and his leadership. Infantino, who seeks a fourth term until 2031, is up for re-election in March. The AFC's decision comes after several key members of the body had already publicly declared their support for Infantino. Despite the backing from the AFC and Africa, Infantino still faces opposition from the European football's governing body, UEFA. UEFA has sent a letter to FIFA seeking answers regarding the World Cup rights sale project and FIFA's Peace Prize.",
  "summary": "Asian football's governing body has said it will support Gianni Infantino's bid for reelection as Fifa president, having earlier opposed his proposed plans to sell commercial rights to world tournaments. Earlier in July, the Asian Football Confederation had in a statement said that “AFC stands in solidarity with Uefa and Concacaf in expressing serious concerns over Fifa’s proposal to introduce…",
  "key_points": [
    "AFC backs Gianni Infantino's FIFA presidency bid",
    "Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa reaffirms commitment",
    "Infantino seeks fourth term until 2031"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The AFC's pivot toward supporting Infantino signals a widening rift between global football powers as regional blocs align against European opposition regarding FIFA's commercial and social initiatives.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}