MANMA, Bahrain (AP) — Saudi Arabia has increased its influence over international soccer by gaining a seat on FIFA’s governing council ahead of the confirmation of the 2027 Asian Cup host.
The winner of the election held at the annual meeting of the Asian Football Confederation, Cristiano Ronaldo, moved to the Saudi league last month and in 2018 It has long been speculated that there is a possibility of hosting the World Cup in 2030 or 2034.
Saudi Football Federation President Yasir Al-Misahal is one of six Asian football officials elected by AFC members to represent FIFA’s decision-making body in 2027, with Saudi Arabia the only candidate to host the Asian Championship that year.
Qatar Federation President Sheikh Hamad Al Thani said his country will host the Asian Cup next January and has been elected to a FIFA seat for the first time. Sheikh Hamad was elected in 40 out of 45 voting federations, Almishak got 35.
The 37-member FIFA Council is chaired by governing body president Gianni Infantino, who took the front seat on Wednesday in the election held in Bahrain.
The election results confirm that Saudi Arabia and Qatar are at the center of Asian football politics, with the AFC presidency open in 2027.
AFC President Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa He was re-elected Wednesday for his final four-year term in the job he has served since 2013. He is also number 2 to Infantino 2 in the regular FIFA eight vice-presidents.
Japan’s Kohzo Tashima and Filipino Mariano Araneta, who earn a $250,000 salary in Zurich, beat incumbent Hamidin bin Mohd Amin, who heads the Malaysian Football Federation, for the FIFA Council posts.
In the year Du Zhaokai, the owner of the Hyundai family who lost his seat in 2019, lost to China and South Korea’s Chung Mong Jiu as candidates for the FIFA seat.
AFC members also voted for a reserved FIFA seat for women. The candidates were from Laos and Bangladesh.
Later in the meeting, the Saudi bid to host the 2027 Asian Cup was confirmed without any opposition. India withdrew from the bid. In December.
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