All 54 African FIFA Members Back Infantino Ahead of March Election

Gianni Infantino has received unanimous backing from all 54 African FIFA member associations as he seeks to remain FIFA president, strengthening his position before the organisation’s forthcoming March election.

The decision was confirmed at the CAF Strategy Conference in Santa Maria, Cape Verde, where Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe said the continent had agreed to support Infantino without conditions. The 56-year-old Swiss-Italian has led FIFA since 2016 and now has the support of one of the game’s largest voting blocs.

African associations unite behind Infantino

1. CAF’s 54 member associations agreed on a collective endorsement of Infantino at the conference in Cabo Verde.
2. Motsepe told delegates that the decision reflected FIFA’s record of support and investment in African football during Infantino’s presidency.
3. Infantino thanked the associations publicly, describing the conference as a display of continental unity and restating FIFA’s stated aim of expanding access to football worldwide.

“There is a unanimous decision by the 54 CAF member associations to unconditionally support Gianni as president of FIFA,” Motsepe said. He pointed to the support Infantino has provided African football as the reason for the endorsement.

The backing arrives after resistance from federations in Europe and North America to proposals involving the sale of commercial interests in FIFA competitions. Infantino acknowledged that concerns had emerged during discussions around FIFA’s plans, but said the governing body should answer them through dialogue, openness and a willingness to improve.

FIFA Forward investment central to case

Infantino placed FIFA Forward funding at the centre of his address in Santa Maria, saying FIFA had put USD 1 billion into African football over the past decade. That money has contributed to 124 projects across the continent, alongside other development initiatives.

He described the period as a major transformation for the African game and said FIFA would continue to work with CAF on further growth. Infantino said the confederation must help identify where additional support is needed and how the organisation can make African football stronger.

He also cited Africa’s expanded representation at the most recent World Cup, where 10 countries from the continent took part, as a positive outcome for the region. During the conference, he referred to Cabo Verde’s national-team run at the 2026 World Cup and congratulated those involved in the country’s progress.

1. Infantino said FIFA and CAF would keep searching for the funding required to raise the African game further.
2. He called for knowledge-sharing and a stronger football structure capable of giving young players clearer opportunities.
3. He said that commitment applied to both girls and boys seeking pathways to succeed in football.

Election picture

African unity gives Infantino significant momentum for the March vote. Former Switzerland and Tottenham defender Ramon Vega has announced that he intends to challenge for the presidency, but UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has chosen to pursue another term at European football’s governing body rather than enter the FIFA contest.

With CAF’s 54 associations now publicly aligned behind him, Infantino is strongly placed to retain the FIFA presidency. He said future work with CAF would be based on cooperation and direct communication as FIFA seeks to maintain the recent growth of football across Africa.