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AFC endorses Infantino for fourth FIFA term unopposed

By Drooid · Oct 23, 2026, 10:24 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Sheikh Salman Endorses Infantino

AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa endorsed Gianni Infantino for a fourth FIFA term.
The endorsement was made at the AFC congress in Tokyo on Oct 23, 2026.
No challenger filed; nominations close Nov 18, 2026, leaving Infantino unopposed.
Sheikh Salman, Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) condemned Infantino’s $4.2 billion plan as a breach of trust.
Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) labeled the scheme a breach of trust.

Summary

Theodoridis Demands Answers

UEFA secretary general Theodore Theodoridis sent FIFA a letter demanding answers to 42 questions by Nov 2.
The 42-question questionnaire spans 12 sections and lists ten alleged conflicts of interest, such as a $4 million Trump Tower lease.
UEFA also demanded the World Cup final VIP guest list and justification for each invitation.
UEFA questioned the $75 million Palestine investment announced at U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace meeting.

History

Historical Context

In May 2015 U.S. prosecutors and Swiss authorities arrested 14 FIFA officials, seized $2 billion and charged 22 executives, prompting Sepp Blatter’s December resignation and UEFA’s call for stricter transparency. Today Infantino runs unopposed for a new term, backed by Sheikh Salman, while UEFA launches a 42-question probe that echoes the 2015 reform demands.

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Sheikh Salman Endorses Infantino

AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa endorsed Gianni Infantino for a fourth FIFA term.
The endorsement was made at the AFC congress in Tokyo on Oct 23, 2026.
No challenger filed; nominations close Nov 18, 2026, leaving Infantino unopposed.
Sheikh Salman, Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) condemned Infantino’s $4.2 billion plan as a breach of trust.
Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) labeled the scheme a breach of trust.

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