Rabat – Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe has announced that all 54 African national football associations will support Gianni Infantino in his bid for another term as FIFA president.
Motsepe confirmed the continent’s position on Thursday during the CAF Strategy Conference in Santa Maria, Cape Verde, which brought together presidents of CAF’s member associations, national-team coaches and other football officials.
“We will support Gianni as FIFA president unconditionally because of the support he has provided to African football over the years,” Motsepe said.
The collective backing gives Infantino the support of more than a quarter of FIFA’s 211 voting member associations ahead of the presidential election scheduled for March 18, 2027, in Morocco.
Infantino promises further investment in Africa
Infantino attended the conference and used the occasion to discuss FIFA’s financial support for football development across the continent.
According to Reuters, FIFA has invested around $1 billion in Africa over the past decade through its Forward development program.
Infantino told African football leaders that FIFA intends to continue directing resources toward the continent and working with national associations on infrastructure and development projects.
CAF’s unified support comes during a more difficult period for Infantino elsewhere in world football.
UEFA and several European associations have criticized his leadership following the collapse of the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which would have involved private investment in FIFA’s commercial and tournament operations. The Norwegian Football Association has also recently submitted governance and ethics complaints concerning several FIFA decisions.
Morocco had already been among six Arab federations to publicly back Infantino in August, while the Union of Arab Football Associations later issued its own declaration of support.
Vega announces challenge
CAF’s announcement came one day after former Switzerland and Tottenham defender Ramon Vega declared his intention to challenge Infantino for the FIFA presidency.
Vega, 55, has called for governance reform and said FIFA needs to rebuild trust and credibility. He must secure the formal backing of at least five FIFA member associations to appear on the ballot.
Infantino has led FIFA since 2016 and was re-elected unopposed in both 2019 and 2023.
The strong African commitment now gives him a significant voting base as he seeks another term, with the election set to take place in Rabat next March.
