The decision to support the candidacy of the UEFA general secretary at the Executive Committee meeting at the held at CONMEBOL’s headquarters in Luque in Paraguay.

“The Executive Committee of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) has decided to support the candidacy and the work plan for the FIFA presidency Mr. Gianni Infantino,” a statement said.

CONMEBOL’s move to publicly back Infantino comes just two days after Paraguay's Alejandro Dominguez was unanimously elected as the organisation’s President, with the head of the Paraguayan Football Association also becoming a vice-president of FIFA.

He was the only candidate standing following the withdrawal of interim President and Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) chief Wilmar Valdez before voting began.

The election followed his compatriot and predecessor as President, Juan Angel Napout, being one of 16 people charged in connection with an alleged major bribery racket connected to the marketing and broadcasting rights of tournaments and matches.

CONMEBOL's 10 Federations do not vote as a bloc and the decision does not in reality guarantee that all 10 will ultimately back Infantino during the secret vote next month.

The declaration of support does, however, provide a boost for Infantino's campaign, which also received the backing of seven members of the Central American Football Union (UNCAF) earlier this week.

Germany, Switzerland and Portugal are among other countries to offer their support to the 45-year-old, with Trinidad and Tobago, Croatia and Luxembourg also endorsing the Swiss today.

Previously, Luxembourg Football Association chief Paul Philipp had stated that Infantino had was not necessarily “the unanimous choice” within UEFA, despite European governing body having stated they would unanimously back him.

“I am honoured to have the unanimous support of my colleagues at CONMEBOL and I’d like to thank them, along with colleagues from UNCAF, UEFA and the many other Football Associations that have declared their support for my candidacy and my vision to take FIFA and football forward," said Infantino following CONMEBOL's declaration.

“I have met and discussed the future of FIFA and the global game with many football heads all over the world in recent weeks and months and these conversations, based on placing football back on the centre stage, have reaffirmed my view we are at the dawn of a new era.

“We must seize this opportunity and introduce a new order of responsible leadership at FIFA."

Asian Football Confederation President Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa of Bahrain has been considered the front-runner in the race to become FIFA President, with a surge of support in recent weeks seeing Infantino emerge as arguably his strongest challenger.

Jordanian Football Association President Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein, France’s Jérôme Champagne and South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale are the other candidates standing. 

The election to replace Sepp Blatter is due to take place at FIFA's Extraordinary Congress in Zurich on February 26.