Infantino Wins Backing of 54 African Nations for Another FIFA Term

The 54 member associations of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have pledged their unconditional support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election as FIFA president in March.

CAF President, Patrice Motsepe announced the position on Thursday at a football strategy conference in Cape Verde, where Infantino addressed African football administrators ahead of the FIFA presidential election.

“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, 56, was elected FIFA president in 2016 and is seeking another term at the head of world football’s governing body.

His re-election bid comes amid reported disagreements over FIFA’s plans for commercial investment in its tournaments.

An earlier proposal to sell a stake in FIFA tournaments was shelved following opposition, particularly from European and North American football associations.

Former Switzerland defender Ramon Vega said on Wednesday that he intended to contest next year’s FIFA presidential election against Infantino.

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Meanwhile, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin announced on Thursday that he would seek another term as head of European football’s governing body.

FIFA Funding for African Football

During his address, Infantino highlighted FIFA’s financial support for African football through its FIFA Forward programme.

“As FIFA president, I am proud to have contributed with you a little bit in this revolution in African football in the last 10 years,” he said.

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“With the FIFA Forward programme we have invested one billion dollars in 10 years in Africa, with 124 different projects and many other actions.”

The FIFA president also called for dialogue to address disagreements between the governing body and its member associations.

“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.”

Infantino said FIFA would continue to support the development of football across Africa and seek additional funding where necessary.

“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,” he said.

He urged CAF’s member associations to communicate their priorities to FIFA to help strengthen the game across the continent.

“We need to continue together on this path, because it is up to you as CAF to tell us what you want. How we can make you stronger and better,” he 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.”