Gianni Infantino, FIFA, Asian Football Confederation and Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa
20 October 2026
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is preparing to meet Asian football leaders in Tokyo as he seeks support for another term in office. The meeting comes amid controversy surrounding his abandoned World Cup private-investment proposal and growing questions about FIFA’s governance.
Infantino is scheduled to meet Asian Football Confederation representatives on Wednesday. AFC president Sheikh Salman previously opposed the proposed World Cup investment arrangement, although reporting suggests his position may have softened. Qatar has expressed support for Infantino while Jordan has opposed his leadership. Candidates have until 18 November to enter the FIFA presidential race, with the election scheduled for March 2027. No final AFC endorsement was confirmed in the supplied report.