Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, who heads the RFU and is a member of FIFA's ruling Executive Committee, endorsed the Swiss’ bid at the official ceremony to unveil the emblem for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

The RFU’s support comes even though Mutko criticised Infantino’s idea to hold World Cups across entire regions, suggesting that the proposal was simply electioneering on the part of the 45-year-old.

The plan has already been adopted by UEFA which will hold its European Championships in 2020 in 13 different cities across the continent, including Irish capital Dublin and Azerbaijan's European Games host Baku which are more than 3,000 miles apart.

Infantino’s campaign has been gathering momentum in recent weeks with the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) pledging their backing, along with seven members of the Central American Football Union and the Football Associations in Barbados, Germany, Iceland, Suriname and his native Switzerland among others. 

"We agree with most European countries and believe that Infantino is our candidate for FIFA Presidency," said Mutko, who is currently overseeing arrangements for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and is a member of the FIFA Executive Committee.

"He has a vast experience and works at UEFA, which is the most successful organisation at the moment.

"He will be able to unite the football family."

Infantino joined Mutko at the ceremony in Moscow and thanked both the Russian and the RFU for their "fantastic support" before adding that it was an "honour" and he was "proud of it".

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, appointed as UEFA's coaching ambassador in January 2014, has also backed Infantino’s candidacy today.

"In my role as ambassador to UEFA over the last few years I've got to know Gianni very well," said the Scot in a video message of support. 

"I must say that all the help he's given me has been without question really, really valuable to me.

"I think he's got good professionalism, discipline, organisational ability and knowledge of the game and I wish him every success in his quest to be a FIFA President."

In response, Infantino said: "I’m grateful to Sir Alex for his support.

"It means a lot to me coming from one of football’s most respected and accomplished managers.

"I’m also grateful to the growing number of FIFA’s Member Associations and Confederations that have now pledged their support to me.

"I am humbled by this and in their belief that I am the right candidate to help take FIFA forward into a new era of trust, respect and renewal."

Infantino will go up against Asian Football Confederation President Shaikh Salman Bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa of Bahrain, Jordanian Football Association chief Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, Frenchman Jérôme Champagne and South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale for the FIFA Presidency at the Extraordinary Congress in Zurich.

On Monday (February 1), he unveiled a 90-day plan at Wembley Stadium in London which he aims to implement if elected on February 26.

Following last month’s launch of Infantino’s manifesto - Taking Football Forward - which outlined reforms and good governance, democracy and participation and football development as the cornerstone of his vision for world football’s governing body - the plan details further how he will aim to bring about change, openness and transparency.

It covers 11 points, including launching the bidding process for the 2026 World Cup, introducing reforms of the transfer system and appointing a new FIFA secretary general.

Infantino was accompanied at the launch event by high-profile backers including José Mourinho, the former Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid manager, and fellow Portuguese Luís Figo, who had been one of three candidates looking to unseat Sepp Blatter in last May’s FIFA Presidential election prior to his withdrawal.