FIFA President Gianni Infantino has thanked the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for showing its “warm support, trust and unity” at the AFC Extraordinary Congress in Tokyo, Japan.

Mr Infantino addressed the AFC’s 47 members – 46 of whom are also FIFA Member Associations (MA) – after FIFA Senior Vice President and AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa had declared the Asian confederation’s support for the FIFA President to continue in the role as he stands for re-election for a third mandate next year.

“Led by AFC President and FIFA Senior Vice-President Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the AFC has made football a beacon of hope and opportunities for young girls and boys. FIFA is proud to assist, and be part of, this ongoing endeavour so that children and those with a football dream across all levels are provided with the necessary means to fulfil their ambitions,” said Mr Infantino. “I am deeply grateful for the warm support, trust and unity expressed by Shaikh Salman and the Asian football community as we continue to work hand-in-hand to grow our game across every corner of the continent. I look forward to continuing our collaboration and thank everyone for coming together for football.”

FIFA’s collaboration with its Asian MAs has already redrawn the football map on the continent over the last decade. FIFA Forward funding totalled USD 495.5 million over its first two phases (2016-2022) and saw over 200 projects realised in Asia, including 96 infrastructure initiatives.

A further USD 394.1 million was made available during FIFA Forward 3.0 (2023-2026) and has led to 44 projects being undertaken so far with each MA eligible for up to USD 8 million. Following the FIFA Council meeting of 15 October 2026, that figure is set to increase significantly to USD 25 million each via FIFA Forward 4.0 and the proposed FIFA Surplus Solidarity Programme. Confederations will also see their funding increase with precise details to follow.

“Thanks to our joint success, we are able to invest much more in our FIFA Forward Programme, in our solidarity investments in every country to build infrastructure, to create competitions, to make and build academies for children to perform, to play better, to have a path, to have a dream,” said Mr Infantino, who noted the significant increase over the last decade since solidarity had been able to provide USD 1 million to each MA.

“It’s about what we do with these amounts, what we do with these investments, and what we do, what you do is, exactly, giving a smile, giving a dream, giving an opportunity, giving a chance and giving hope to millions and millions of children in your country.”

Mr Infantino commended the work of the AFC for the “transformation” that Asian football has undergone in the 13 years since Shaikh Salman was elected. The AFC President said his confederation would support Mr Infantino when he stands for re-election as FIFA President next year.

“Our greatest strength lies in our unity, and we have all seen the historic heights Asian football can achieve when we stand together. The Asian game’s remarkable journey and historic achievements are deeply rooted in the strong partnership, trust, and shared vision that we share as one united family,” said Shaikh Salman.

“As we look toward a brighter and more competitive future, our solidarity remains our greatest strength. We are ready to move forward, united in support of FIFA President Gianni Infantino.”

Mr Infantino responded: “I know, as President of FIFA and as FIFA as an organisation, that we can always count on Asia, on a united Asia, on a strong Asia as hosts, as participants, as a contributor for everything you do. And you can always count on FIFA, on the FIFA President, and on our joint way of working and acting for football, all together.”