"We're not against anyone and we're not in favor of anyone." That's AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa summing up Asia's position on Gianni Infantino's push for a fourth term as FIFA president — and if you're trying to call this race, that non-answer is actually the story.
Asia's 47 member votes could decide everything. Europe is pushing back hard on Infantino. Africa is largely in his corner. That leaves the AFC sitting at the center of the board, and right now, Sheikh Salman is playing his hand face-down.
A U-Turn From Two Months Ago
What makes this interesting is where the AFC was standing in September. Back then, the confederation joined UEFA and CONCACAF in accusing Infantino of a "fundamental breach of trust." Strong language. The kind that suggests a bloc is mobilizing against someone.
That energy is gone. Sheikh Salman's tone in Tokyo was measured, almost deliberately neutral. The closed-door meetings — streamed on YouTube without a journalist in the room — produced no resolution, no statement of position, and no endorsement. Meanwhile, Infantino was quietly doing the rounds in Bhutan and Bangladesh, two nations with a single vote each but apparently worth the trip when you're building a majority.
The AFC's internal split is already visible. Qatar, which owes Infantino considerable goodwill from the 2022 World Cup cycle, has declared support. Jordan has come out in opposition. With no challenger having filed by the Nov. 18 deadline yet, Infantino is still running against a threat that doesn't officially exist — but the opposition sentiment is real, even if it's disorganized.
An AP tally puts 87 of 211 federations formally in Infantino's corner. He needs a majority at the March election. Whether he gets there may come down to how Asia breaks — and right now, Sheikh Salman isn't giving anyone a road map.
Saudi Asian Cup Pressing Ahead Despite Houthi Threat
Separate to the election politics, the AFC also confirmed the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia is going ahead as planned — Jan. 7 to Feb. 5, across Riyadh, Jeddah, and Khobar — despite Houthi attacks linked to the Yemen conflict and growing concern about regional escalation.
Saudi organizing committee spokesman Muhammed Q. Alghamdi insisted daily life in the country is "ongoing" and the tournament will be ready. Twenty-four teams are committed. Switching venues at this stage would be logistically catastrophic, which is likely why no alternative is seriously being considered despite the security backdrop.
For anyone pricing the Asian Cup markets, the political environment around the tournament is worth watching. A stable group stage is the assumption baked into most outright odds — but the region is anything but predictable right now.
"People are following the news, what's happening in the Middle East," Sheikh Salman acknowledged. "It's important for us." That's about as candid as the AFC got all week.
