OCT 8 (REUTERS): FIFA President Gianni Infantino promised further resources for Africa as the continent’s 54 member associations on Thursday pledged their unconditional support for his reelection in March in a big boost to the Swiss-Italian’s candidacy.
Infantino addressed the presidents at a conference in Cape Verde, a first-of-its-kind strategy symposium for African football, which provided a platform to speak to more than a quarter of the 211 voters ahead of the FIFA elections.
Infantino had to shelve a controversial plan to sell a stake in FIFA tournaments earlier this year, after a backlash from mostly European and North American nations, many of which have withdrawn support for him, opens new tab at next year’s presidential elections.
But Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe said the 56-year-old Infantino would enjoy the unconditional support of the continent.
“There is a unanimous decision by the 54 CAF member associations to unconditionally support Gianni as president of FIFA,” Motsepe told delegates at the conference.
“This is because of the history and the support that Gianni has given to African football.”
It comes after former Switzerland defender Ramon Vega said on Wednesday he intends to stand in next year’s FIFA presidential election against fellow Swiss Infantino.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said on Thursday he will seek another term as head of European soccer’s governing body, effectively removing one of the highest-profile figures from the field of potential candidates to challenge Infantino.
Saturday, October 10, 2026