All 54 African football associations have pledged unconditional support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election as FIFA president in March 2027, giving his candidacy a united public endorsement as he promised further resources for the continent’s game.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe announced the unanimous decision at a football strategy conference in Cape Verde on Thursday. The gathering gave Infantino a platform to address national association presidents representing more than a quarter of FIFA’s 211 voting members.
“There is a unanimous decision by the 54 CAF member associations to unconditionally support Gianni as president of FIFA,” Motsepe told delegates. “This is because of the history and the support that Gianni has given to African football.”
Infantino became FIFA president in 2016 and used his address to highlight the governing body’s investment in African football through its FIFA Forward programme.
“With the FIFA Forward programme we have invested one billion dollars in 10 years in Africa, with 124 different projects and many other actions,” he said.
He pledged to continue seeking resources to strengthen the continent’s football structures and create further opportunities for its teams and associations.
“Our commitment is to make sure that your football is going to continue to improve and grow, give you more opportunities. Ten countries at the (last) World Cup has been a success for the entire continent,” Infantino said.
“We will continue to look for the resources and the increases (in funding) that are necessary to boost the African game to the top of world football.”
The endorsement comes after Infantino shelved a proposal to sell a stake in FIFA tournament rights following a backlash, particularly from European and North American football nations. Several associations have since withdrawn their support for his re-election.
Infantino did not directly refer to the abandoned proposal in Cape Verde but acknowledged that disagreements could arise and called for dialogue.
“When you go through a journey, sometimes concerns are raised,” he said. “When they are raised, we have to address them. As far as we are concerned at FIFA, we address them always with the spirit of dialogue and with open arms, an open heart and an open mind. We can always be better and do better.”
He urged African associations to identify what they needed from FIFA to strengthen their football and continue the continent’s development.
Former Switzerland defender Ramon Vega has declared his intention to challenge Infantino in the presidential election. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, meanwhile, said on Thursday that he would seek another term at the head of European football’s governing body.
The March 2027 vote will decide FIFA’s next president. Africa’s 54 associations have now made their position clear, pledging unconditional support for Infantino as he seeks another term.
