Five influential African football figures have publicly offered their support to Gianni Infantino, who is actively seeking the backing of Africa’s 54 member associations for re-election as Fifa president. This push for support follows his decision to abandon a controversial plan to sell a stake in future World Cup revenue.
While Uefa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and Concacaf have voiced distrust in Infantino’s leadership, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has remained silent, offering a glimmer of hope for his re-election in next March’s Fifa presidential election. The abandoned plan to raise $4.2 billion from a new commercial rights body remains on the agenda for a CAF executive committee meeting on Thursday.
Leading committee members, including CAF Vice President Fouzi Lekjaa, and Fifa Council members Hany Abo Rida, Hamidou Djibrilla, and Ahmed Yhaya, have affirmed their backing. Veron Mosengo-Omba, the recently elected president of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s football federation, has also issued a statement of support.
African nations were instrumental in Infantino’s 2016 election victory, largely due to his pledges to significantly increase development funding for Fifa’s member associations. This financial generosity has been key to maintaining his popularity, as many African members rely heavily on Fifa funds to operate and compete.