{
  "id": 19231034,
  "title": "Infantino’s re-election a ‘foregone conclusion’, says AFC official",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/infantinos-re-election-a-foregone-conclusion-says-afc-official-19231034",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-09T21:26:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/11/10/infantino-s-re-election-a-foregone-conclusion-says-afc-official"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Fifa president Gianni Infantino's re-election as the head of the organization is, according to Asian Football Confederation vice-president Hashem Haidar, a foregone conclusion. Haidar, who is also the president of the Lebanese Football Federation, publicly expressed his and the AFC's unwavering support for Infantino during an event in Lebanon.\n\nInfantino had faced significant criticism and calls to resign following his announcement in July about selling off commercial interests in the World Cup. At that time, opposition came from the European confederation UEFA and Concacaf in North America, with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) initially joining the dissenting ranks. However, Infantino's re-election chances seem to have improved after the AFC changed its stance and endorsed him last month.\n\nAlthough Japanese Football Association honorary president Kozo Tashima had announced his intention to challenge Infantino, Haidar stated that Tashima would struggle to secure enough global support. Tashima might garner a few votes, but maintaining relationships in all regions of the world is crucial for the Fifa presidency, making it difficult for Tashima to compete effectively.",
  "summary": "Gianni Infantino appears to be in a strong position to secure a fourth and final term as Fifa president after the AFC performed a U-turn and endorsed him last month.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BusinessDay Nigeria",
        "title": "AFC vice-president Hashem Haidar backs Infantino’s re-election bid",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/afc-vice-president-hashem-haidar-backs-infantinos-re-election-bid",
        "published": "2026-11-09T17:49:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Today",
        "title": "Infantino re-election a 'foregone conclusion', says AFC official",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/infantino-re-election-a-foregone-conclusion-says-afc-official",
        "published": "2026-11-09T21:34:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}