Kuala Lumpur, January 31 (QNA) – HE President of Qatar Football Association (QFA) Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani will compete in the elections of the Asian continent’s representatives to the FIFA Council, during the 33rd Asian Football Confederation (AFC Congress 2023), which will be held in Manama on Wednesday.
According to a statement by the AFC, the meeting will witness the election of the AFC Executive Committee for the term 2023 to 2027, along with Continent’s representatives to the FIFA Council.
The Congress will see incumbent President Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa run unopposed for the AFC Presidency, while the list of candidates for the position of five vice presidents includes: Hachem Haidar (Lebanon) West Zone, Mehdi Taj (Islamic Republic of Iran), Dastanbek Konokbaev (Kyrgyz Republic) Central Zone, Ugen Tsechup (Bhutan) South Zone, Zaw Zaw (Myanmar) ASEAN Zone, Ganbaatar Amgalanbaatar (Mongolia) East Zone.
The candidates for FIFA Council Members are: HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani (Qatar), Du Zhaocai (China PR), Kohzo Tashima (Japan), Mong Gyu Chung (Korea Republic), Datuk Haji Hamidin Bin Haji Mohd Amin (Malaysia), Mariano Araneta, Jr. (Philippines) and Yasser H. Almisehal (Saudi Arabia).
As for the AFC Executive Committee membership, five candidates from the West Zone are competing, two from Central Zone, three from South Zone, three from ASEAN Zone and Fok, Kai Shan Eric (Hong Kong) from East Zone.
The AFC Congress is also expected to deliberate on the host of the AFC Asian Cup 2027, where the focus will be on the Saudi Arabian Football Federation who remain the sole bidder for the hosting rights of the 19th edition of Asia’s crown jewel.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is scheduled to attend the AFC Congress and to deliver a speech during the meeting. (QNA)