AFC vice-president Hashem Haidar backs Infantino’s re-election bid

Gianni Infantino’s bid for a fourth term as FIFA president has received another major boost after Asian Football Confederation (AFC) vice-president Hashem Haidar reaffirmed the confederation’s support for the Swiss administrator. Haidar described Infantino’s re-election in March as a “foregone conclusion”, suggesting that Japan Football Association honorary president Kozo Tashima would struggle to mount a serious challenge.

“We fully and publicly support Infantino,” Haidar, who is also president of the Lebanese Football Federation, said at an event in Lebanon attended by the FIFA president, according to AFP. Infantino is seeking another four-year term after coming under criticism and facing calls to resign following revelations in July about plans to sell commercial interests in the FIFA World Cup.

AFC endorsement strengthens Infantino’s re-election bid Infantino initially appeared to face significant opposition, with UEFA and CONCACAF among the confederations expressing concerns over the proposed commercial arrangement. The AFC had also initially emerged as part of the opposition before reversing its position and endorsing his candidacy last month.

The Asian confederation’s backing has strengthened Infantino’s position ahead of the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 2027. Haidar questions Tashima’s chances Tashima, the honorary president of the Japan Football Association, announced last week that he would challenge Infantino for the FIFA presidency.

However, Haidar believes the Japanese football administrator lacks the international backing required to defeat the incumbent. “Kozo Tashima might get a few votes, but it will be difficult for him to compete, as the FIFA presidency requires maintaining relationships in all regions of the world,” Haidar said.

Infantino, who was first elected FIFA president in 2016 and re-elected in 2019 and 2023, is seeking a fourth term. A victory would extend his leadership of world football’s governing body until 2031. Related News NFF hails Flamingos’ historic World Cup triumph as heroines return to Nigeria Ethiopian Airlines, Air Peace sign bilateral interline agreement to enhance connectivity across Africa, beyond USPF targets Nigeria’s 87 telecom blackspots with N10m grassroots innovation fund Anthony Nlebem Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.