Why Africa continues to back Gianni Infantino despite growing FIFA opposition
· The South African
African football leaders are once again emerging as some of FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s strongest allies, even as football officials in Europe, Asia and North and Central America question his leadership.
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According to Reuters, influential football administrators from Morocco, Egypt, Niger, Mauritania and the Democratic Republic of Congo have publicly backed Infantino following his decision to abandon a controversial proposal to sell a stake in future FIFA World Cup revenues.
The statements come at a critical time for the FIFA president ahead of next year’s presidential election, with Africa’s 54 member associations representing one of the largest voting blocs within world football.
Why Africa continues to back Infantino
Many African football associations depend on FIFA development funding to supplement limited commercial revenue, sponsorship and broadcasting income.
Since taking office in 2016, Gianni Infantino has overseen a significant expansion of the FIFA Forward Programme, increasing financial support for member associations to fund football infrastructure, administration, competitions, youth development and women’s football.
For many African federations, these funds have helped finance stadium renovations, training facilities, grassroots programmes and operational costs that would otherwise be difficult to sustain.
Speaking to Reuters, Comoros Football Federation president Saïd Ali Athouman said financial support remains one of African football’s biggest priorities.
“Our problem is how to obtain money. Right now, we have no sponsors. So how do we compete?” he said.
He added that wealthier football nations enjoy better infrastructure and resources, making it difficult for smaller associations to compete internationally.
Funding remains vital for African football
The importance of FIFA funding was also highlighted by Football Association of Malawi president Fleetwood Haiya.
“Malawi needs money. Malawi needs stadiums,” Haiya told Reuters.
Under FIFA’s current funding model, each of its 211 member associations is guaranteed baseline funding of US$8 million over a four-year cycle.
In recent years, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has also introduced annual grants for its member associations, providing an additional financial boost.
For many smaller football nations, these resources remain essential to improving infrastructure, organising domestic competitions and supporting national teams.
CAF yet to take an official position on Infantino
Despite individual expressions of support, CAF itself has not officially endorsed Infantino.
The continental governing body is expected to discuss the matter during its Executive Committee meeting on Thursday after the FIFA president withdrew his controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal under pressure.
Reuters reported that the proposal sought to raise about US$4.2 billion through a new commercial rights company linked to future World Cup revenues but faced significant resistance from several football confederations.
CAF had previously indicated it would study the proposal before Infantino abandoned the plan.
Africa could play a decisive role in Infantino’s future
While football authorities in Europe, Asia and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) have reportedly expressed declining confidence in Infantino’s leadership, Africa’s position could prove crucial ahead of FIFA’s presidential election next March.
With 54 voting member associations, Africa remains one of the most influential blocs in FIFA politics.
For many African football leaders, continued access to development funding and investment remains a central consideration, helping explain why support for Infantino has remained stronger on the continent than elsewhere.
Although CAF has yet to announce a collective position, the public backing from several senior African football officials suggests Infantino can still count on significant support from a continent that has been instrumental to his leadership since his election in 2016.