The mood in African football regarding Gianni Infantino is the opposite of that in Europe. The associations are standing united behind the FIFA president.
In the power struggle over the future of FIFA, the African football associations are standing united behind the controversial head of world football, Gianni Infantino. Patrice Motsepe, president of the continental body CAF, announced at a conference in Sal, Cape Verde, that all 54 member associations “unanimously and unreservedly support” the incumbent.
Infantino was present at the conference. As part of the show of support, the federation representatives gathered around Infantino on stage and applauded together. The FIFA president took to Instagram to express his gratitude for a “wonderful moment of unity”.
European federations seek to find a challenger
Infantino is seeking re-election as FIFA president in March 2027 in Rabat, Morocco. Despite his ultimately failed attempt this summer to market World Cup rights through external investors, the 56-year-old can continue to count on support from Africa.
However, it was primarily the associations from Europe, as well as North and Central America and the Caribbean, that had withdrawn their confidence in Infantino. Following their meeting in Berlin, representatives of UEFA and the European associations reiterated their criticism of Infantino and their demand for the FIFA president to be replaced.
In doing so, they outlined a profile for a potential successor, but did not yet name a specific challenger to Infantino. UEFA President Alexander Ceferin will not be standing, and PSG boss Nasser Al-Khelaifi does not intend to stand either, meaning two prominent candidates are out of the running. The opposition must officially nominate a candidate by 18 November inclusive; before then, there is to be a further meeting of all 55 UEFA member associations.
