The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee has formally declared its unanimous support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This decision, reached late Thursday, positions the African football governing body in direct opposition to counterparts in Europe, Asia, and North America who have expressed significant dissent against the FIFA leadership.
The timing of the endorsement is notable, arriving on the same day UEFA confirmed its commitment to boycotting future World Cup tournaments at all levels as long as Infantino remains in his current role. With 54 of FIFA’s 211 member associations, CAF represents a critical voting bloc that has consistently backed Infantino since he first assumed office in 2016.
In an official statement, the CAF EXCO confirmed it had reconfirmed its support for the FIFA president, expressing gratitude for his ongoing contributions to the development of African football. CAF President Patrice Motsepe further signaled his alignment by endorsing the recent “Joint Update” issued by Infantino and FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom, which aims to address the controversy surrounding proposed changes to the World Cup’s commercial structure.
The FIFA president has faced intense international scrutiny following his aborted plan to establish the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) and sell off commercial rights to future World Cups. Motsepe, while emphasizing the necessity of transparency and good governance in global football, stated, “We are committed to continue working together with FIFA, its member associations, other football Confederations and stakeholders to safeguard and adhere to governance, due process, and transparency global best practices.”
Prior to the committee’s formal vote, several influential African football leaders had already publicly aligned themselves with Infantino. This group includes CAF vice president Fouzi Lekjaa of Morocco, along with FIFA Council members Hany Abo Rida from Egypt, Hamidou Djibrilla of Niger, and Ahmed Yahya of Mauritania. Additionally, Veron Mosengo-Omba, the recently elected president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s football federation and former CAF general secretary, also voiced his support.
Motsepe’s personal loyalty to the FIFA president remains steadfast. Reflecting on their relationship shortly before the commercial scandal emerged, Motsepe remarked, “I personally support Gianni Infantino. He’s not just a good friend. He’s a loyal friend. He’s loyal to Africa. I come from a background where when people have been loyal to you, you never stab them in the back.”
As Infantino prepares for his re-election bid in March of next year, this unified backing from Africa provides a significant political buffer against the growing revolt from other confederations. FIFA also issued a separate statement on Wednesday reaffirming its internal support for the president, even as he navigates the fallout from the abandoned commercial proposal that led to widespread accusations of sidelining national federations.
