Gianni Infantino Re-emerges as Favorite for a New Term at the Helm of FIFA

The re-election of Gianni Infantino as president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) is considered almost certain, as he enjoys the backing of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), while his challengers are struggling to build international support, AFP reports. Hashem Haidar, AFC vice-president and president of the Lebanese Football Association, stated that the organization supports the current FIFA chief unreservedly and believes that securing a new term is a "done deal." "We support Infantino fully and publicly," Haidar told AFP during the FIFA official's visit to Lebanon, where he attended the inauguration of a mini-football pitch. Infantino did not make any statements to the press on this occasion.

• Two Challengers and the Support of the Confederations

The election for the FIFA presidency is scheduled to take place on March 18, 2027, during the organization's congress in Rabat, Morocco. Gianni Infantino, who has led the global governing body since 2016, enters the race as the clear favorite; he had previously expressed his intention to remain in the role, claiming to have the support of a "very, very large majority" of member associations. Last week, Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association, announced his candidacy against Infantino. He is the second challenger, following former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega. However, Hashem Haidar believes that Tashima will struggle to secure the support needed to compete against the current FIFA president. "Kozo Tashima might garner a few votes, but it will be difficult for him to compete, as the FIFA presidency requires maintaining relationships across all regions of the world," the Lebanese official stated.

The support of the AFC, expressed last month, represents a significant advantage for Infantino ahead of the election.

• Controversies surrounding a project to attract private investors

Infantino's favorable position in the race for a new term comes despite the criticism he faced following the announcement-last summer-of a plan to create a commercial entity open to private investors. The initiative failed and drew negative reactions from within the football world. Infantino, 56, has previously dismissed calls for his resignation, emphasizing the support he enjoys among national associations. Earlier this week, the FIFA president inaugurated a mini-football pitch in the town of Chanay, in the mountains of Lebanon. His connection to the country is also personal, as his wife is Lebanese. Gianni Infantino was granted Lebanese citizenship by decree in 2025.