Infantino takes FIFA re-election bid to Asia with Japan visit

Gianni Infantino's bid for another term as FIFA president is moving into Asia this week, with a scheduled meeting with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in Japan on Wednesday. The visit marks a key phase in his campaign to secure support from one of world football's largest confederations ahead of the upcoming presidential election.

The AFC represents dozens of national football associations across the continent and holds significant voting power in FIFA's decision-making processes. Infantino's decision to visit Japan for direct engagement with Asian football leadership reflects the growing importance of Asian federations in shaping the organization's future direction.

The meeting comes as various candidates and officials seek backing from regional confederations ahead of the formal election process. The AFC's support could prove crucial in determining the outcome of the FIFA presidential race, given the confederation's substantial representation within the global governing body.

Infantino has been positioning himself for another term at the helm of FIFA, and his campaign has been methodically building support across different regions. The Asian leg of his outreach demonstrates the competitive nature of the race and the need to consolidate backing among major football confederations worldwide.

Photo: FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the United Nations in Vienna, September 2020. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).