On the Atlantic edge of Cape Verde, Gianni Infantino has secured a significant continental platform for his bid to remain FIFA president. All 54 member associations of the Confederation of African Football have pledged unanimous, unconditional support for the Swiss-Italian ahead of March’s election.
Key takeaways
- CAF’s 54 national associations have collectively backed Infantino’s re-election campaign.
- The commitment was announced by CAF president Patrice Motsepe at a strategic African football symposium in Cape Verde.
- Infantino told African football leaders that FIFA would provide greater resources for the game across the continent.
- The 56-year-old addressed representatives holding more than a quarter of the 211 votes in the FIFA presidential contest.
- Former Switzerland defender Ramon Vega has declared his intention to challenge Infantino in next year’s election.
A decisive African endorsement
Motsepe said CAF had reached its decision unanimously, presenting the endorsement as recognition of Infantino’s record and of the assistance FIFA has provided to African football during his presidency.
“The 54 CAF member associations have unanimously decided to support Gianni unconditionally as FIFA president,” Motsepe said. He added that the position reflected “the track record and support Gianni has given African football.”
The gathering in Cape Verde offered Infantino an unusually concentrated audience of confederation leaders and national-association presidents. With 211 voting members in FIFA, the African bloc represents more than one quarter of the electorate, making its united backing a substantial boost as the election approaches.
Infantino also used the meeting to promise additional funding and resources for football in Africa, where the expansion of competitions, infrastructure and development programmes remains central to FIFA’s relationship with its member associations.
Election landscape shifts
The Cape Verde declaration arrives after a more difficult period for Infantino among several associations in Europe and North America. His proposed plan to sell a stake in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, was shelved following strong resistance, particularly from federations in those regions.
That backlash has weakened support in parts of the traditional football power base, but CAF’s full commitment gives the incumbent a major voting bloc before the March ballot.
Infantino will not be without opposition. Ramon Vega, the former Swiss international defender, announced on Wednesday that he intends to stand against his fellow countryman in the next FIFA presidential election.
