{
  "id": 19280433,
  "title": "'Infantino re-election a foregone conclusion'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/infantino-re-election-a-foregone-conclusion",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-10T04:12:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/11/1574509/infantino-re-election-foregone-conclusion"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Gianni Infantino's re-election as FIFA chief is a foregone conclusion, according to Asian Football Confederation vice-president Hashem Haidar. Haidar, who is also president of the Lebanese Football Federation, publicly supports Infantino at an event in Lebanon where Infantino attended. Infantino faced criticism and calls to resign after his plan to sell commercial interests in the World Cup was revealed in July. Initially, opposition came from the UEFA European confederation and CONCACAF in North America, with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) leading the opposition. However, after a U-turn, the AFC endorsed Infantino last month, strengthening his position. Kozo Tashima, the honorary president of the Japan Football Association, announced he would run against Infantino, but Haidar stated Tashima would lack global support. The FIFA presidency demands relationships in all regions, making Tashima's campaign difficult, according to Haidar.",
  "summary": "ALEY: Gianni Infantino’s re-election as FIFA chief is “a foregone conclusion“, Asian Football Confederation vice-president Hashem Haidar told AFP on Monday.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "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": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-11-09T21:26:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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."
}