The key battleground for Infantino and any potential challenger is Asia, where the AFC holds 46 votes and has written a joint letter calling for change along with UEFA and Concacaf. The letter attacked Infantino in all but name, stating that leadership in football is a duty of service to the football family, not a possession. However, Qatar have since thrown their support behind Infantino, with Qatar Football Association President Sheikh Hamid bin Khalifa Al-Thani writing a letter to the AFC Executive Committee claiming the AFC bypassed any consultation process.
Infantino also has support in Asia from Bhutan, the Philippines, and the UAE, but Saudi Arabia's vote is crucial. The country has remained silent so far during the crisis, but multiple Saudi executives want the federation to remove their support for the FIFA President. Infantino hopes to travel to Saudi to meet the new SAFF President in a bid to lobby support. If Saudi remove their support for Infantino, it could create a domino effect with other federations in Asia following suit.
A vote of no confidence remains possible between now and November 18, which is significant because it is the date by which prospective FIFA presidential candidates must commit to standing. Once that deadline passes, it is viewed as redundant holding a vote of no confidence, since the election itself in March next year would then ultimately serve the same purpose.