Soccer-Asian Football Confederation boss says governing body will back FIFA President Infantino's re-election bid

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup - Final - Spain v North Korea - Stadion Miejski LKS, Lodz, Poland - September 27, 2026 FIFA President Gianni Infantino reacts after Spain win the Under-20 Women's World Cup REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo

TOKYO, Oct ⁠23 (Reuters) - Asian Football Confederation ⁠President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim ‌Al Khalifa said on Friday the governing body would support Gianni Infantino's ​bid to be re-elected ⁠FIFA President.

"I ⁠think that we reaffirm our full ⁠commitment, ‌of course, to supporting you and your ⁠leadership as you seek a ​new ‌mandate as FIFA President," Sheikh ⁠Salman said ​in his opening remarks at the AFC's extraordinary congress ⁠in Tokyo where Infantino ​was present.

"I think you've visited a lot of countries in Asia. ⁠I've spoken to a lot of members within this continent. I know your feeling. ​And I think ⁠your commitment is clear as ​well. Your support ‌to Gianni is very ​clear."

(Reporting by Michael Church; Editing by Christopher Cushing)