The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reaffirmed its unwavering support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, positioning Africa as his strongest political ally despite growing criticism from football leaders in Europe, Asia and North America over FIFA’s recent governance controversies.
The renewed backing comes days after Infantino abandoned his controversial proposal to sell a minority stake in FIFA’s commercial operations, a plan that would have raised an estimated $4.2 billion but triggered widespread opposition from several football confederations.
While UEFA and other regional football bodies questioned FIFA’s governance and transparency following the proposal, African football leaders praised Infantino’s decision to withdraw the plan and reiterated their commitment to his leadership.
CAF’s support is not new.
In April 2026, all 54 CAF member associations unanimously endorsed Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president during a meeting held in Vancouver, Canada.
In a statement issued after the meeting, CAF said:
“The CAF Member Associations unanimously agreed to support Gianni Infantino to be re-elected as President of FIFA for the period 2027–2031.”
The endorsement effectively positioned Africa as Infantino’s most reliable voting bloc ahead of the FIFA presidential election scheduled for 2027.
Africa accounts for 54 of FIFA’s 211 member associations, making it one of the largest and most influential voting blocs within world football.
Much of that support stems from the FIFA Forward programme, one of Infantino’s flagship initiatives since taking office in 2016.
The programme guarantees each member association up to $8 million during every four-year funding cycle to invest in football infrastructure, youth development, governance, administration and equipment.
For many African football federations, the programme has become a financial lifeline.
Unlike wealthier football nations that benefit from lucrative domestic leagues, commercial sponsorships and broadcasting revenue, many African associations rely heavily on FIFA grants to build stadiums, improve training facilities and run national competitions.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe has repeatedly credited Infantino with transforming football development across the continent.
Speaking amid the recent controversy surrounding FIFA’s abandoned investment proposal, Motsepe offered one of his strongest endorsements yet.
“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,” Motsepe said.
Several African football leaders echoed similar sentiments, arguing that the continent’s priorities differ significantly from those of Europe’s wealthier football associations.
Comoros Football Federation President Saïd Ali Athouman said African football continues to face financial realities that make FIFA funding indispensable.
“Our problem is how to obtain money. Right now, we have no sponsors. So how do we compete? Most European countries don’t have these problems,” he said.
Football Association of Malawi President Fleetwood Haiya also stressed the importance of FIFA funding in countries where governments face competing national priorities.
“Our government is not able to make sure that they have medical supplies in hospitals and at the same time to look at football. Malawi needs money. Malawi needs stadiums,” Haiya said.
The show of unity comes at a critical moment for Infantino.
His proposal to establish a commercial subsidiary and sell a minority stake to private investors collapsed after fierce resistance from UEFA and several other football stakeholders, who raised concerns about governance, transparency and the commercialization of the World Cup.
The proposal sought to value FIFA’s commercial business at around $20 billion, with the sale of a 20 percent stake expected to generate approximately $4.2 billion.
Facing mounting opposition, Infantino withdrew the proposal before it reached a formal vote. Although the decision eased immediate tensions, it also exposed divisions among FIFA’s six continental confederations.
While UEFA, parts of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) questioned Infantino’s leadership, CAF emerged as his strongest defender.
