Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA since 2016, has faced increasing scrutiny over his leadership and FIFA's financial practices. However, his support among African football federations appears to remain strong, according to recent statements from key officials.
In July 2026, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, Patrice Motsepe, publicly reaffirmed Africa's backing for Infantino ahead of the 2027 FIFA presidential election. Motsepe praised Infantino's commitment to African football development, citing increased FIFA funding for the continent.
Infantino's popularity in Africa stems from his pledge to allocate more resources to developing nations. Under his tenure, FIFA increased its investment in African football, including the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, which benefits African representation.
However, critics point to ongoing controversies, including investigations into FIFA's governance and the handling of the 2034 World Cup bid. Despite this, no African federation has publicly called for a change in leadership, and many have expressed loyalty to Infantino.
As the 2027 election approaches, the African bloc's support could be pivotal. With 54 votes, Africa is the largest voting bloc in FIFA, making its stance crucial for Infantino's re-election bid.
