1. Division Qualification Overview

Gianni Infantino has received a significant boost in his quest for a third term as FIFA president after the Asian Football Confederation performed a dramatic U-turn to endorse his leadership. The move comes just months after the AFC joined other continental bodies in a fierce criticism of the Swiss-Italian official over a controversial World Cup investment plan.

The 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia could be postponed by a year following security disruptions and missile attacks in Riyadh. While tournament preparations continue for now, international bodies and player unions have raised urgent safety concerns ahead of the competition.