Infantino Says 211 Associations Support Him as Fourth-Term Bid Advances

FIFA President Gianni Infantino rejected suggestions that he might step down, stating that 211 member associations have pledged support for his continued leadership. Speaking to the BBC, he laughed when asked if he had considered resigning from the role.

The inquiry follows the collapse of the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, a plan designed to bring private investment into a new entity managing commercial rights for major competitions. Infantino abandoned the initiative, and calls for his departure emerged approximately three months ago.

Support for a fourth term, which would extend through 2031, increased on Friday when Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa announced Asia's backing. Sheikh Salman stated that the continent is united behind Infantino, a shift that follows the federation's earlier criticism of the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal alongside UEFA and CONCACAF.

"I was elected by 211 member associations from all over the world," Infantino told the BBC. He acknowledged that an organization like FIFA contains differing viewpoints but argued that those committed to democracy and equal voting rights must respect the position of "the vast, vast majority."

Infantino recently returned from Tokyo, where the Asian confederation endorsed him, and Cape Verde, where representatives from all African nations did the same. He continues to discuss the matter with associations globally. Despite this support, European football associations, including Germany and England, have not withdrawn their objections to the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.

At a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich last week, Infantino apologized for the handling of the proposal. He maintained a conciliatory stance regarding the disagreement, saying, "It's OK to disagree," but adding that parties must then be able to move forward.

The deadline for potential candidates to submit nominations for the presidency is November 18.