{
  "id": 16165691,
  "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-16165691",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-23T08:44:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "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 has announced it will back Gianni Infantino's re-election as Fifa president, despite previously opposing his plans to sell commercial rights to global tournaments. In July, the AFC expressed serious concerns over the proposal, with Infantino later apologising for communication and consultation mistakes related to the World Cup sale plans. On Friday, AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa affirmed the regional body's support for Infantino, reaffirming the commitment to his leadership. Sheikh Salman highlighted the strength of unity within the Asian game and the historic achievements achieved through strong partnership, trust, and shared vision. The Asian game's remarkable journey is rooted in the unity and support among its members. Infantino is seeking a fourth term until 2031, with nominations due by November 18. While Africa has also supported his re-election, Infantino still encounters opposition from the European football governing body, Uefa, which has raised questions about the World Cup rights sale project and the Fifa Peace Prize. Japan's Football Association president, Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, aims to align with the AFC but has not yet made a decision.",
  "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": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "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."
}