Gianni Infantino has received a major boost to his re-election hopes after African and Asian football bodies pledged their support ahead of the 2027 vote.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Asian Football Confederation both said they would back Infantino if he stands for a fourth term as head of FIFA.
CAF said in a statement after a meeting ahead of the FIFA Congress in Vancouver that it had “unanimously agreed” to support Infantino’s candidacy. AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa also confirmed backing for the Swiss official. “FIFA is in its best position ever and we offer our continued and full support to him as a candidate for FIFA President for the term 2027–2031,” he said.
CAF and AFC together account for 101 votes out of FIFA’s 211-member electorate, giving Infantino a strong base of support. He has also secured backing from South American governing body CONMEBOL.
Infantino, who succeeded Sepp Blatter in 2016 following a corruption scandal, was re-elected in 2019 and 2023.
Although FIFA statutes limit presidents to three terms, the organisation ruled that Infantino’s first partial term from 2016 to 2019 does not count toward the limit, allowing him to run again. His tenure has drawn criticism over ties to U.S. President Donald Trump and reforms such as expanding the World Cup to 48 teams and launching a revamped 32-team Club World Cup.
FIFA has reported record revenues under Infantino, with this year’s World Cup expected to generate about $13 billion.
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