African Football Leaders Rally Behind Infantino Ahead of FIFA Presidential Election

Gianni Infantino’s campaign to retain his position as FIFA president gained significant momentum on Friday, following endorsements from African football officials and indications that a key potential rival may withdraw from the race.

At a three-day Confederation of African Football (CAF) strategy meeting on Sal Island in Cape Verde, CAF President Patrice Motsepe praised Infantino’s record of supporting African football initiatives. “We took a resolution, unanimous that we support him and we will stand by him for the next elections,” Motsepe stated in an address to delegates from the 54 national federations that comprise CAF.

The 56-year-old Swiss administrator has encountered resistance from football associations across Europe, Asia, and North America, particularly regarding his controversial proposal to establish a commercial subsidiary to manage FIFA’s premier events, including the World Cup and Club World Cup.

In September, the French Football Federation (FFF) suspended its backing, criticizing both the proposals and Infantino’s leadership approach. The FFF traces its roots to one of the organizations that originally founded FIFA in 1904. Swiss football authorities also withdrew their support in October, expressing concerns about FIFA’s handling of external political pressures, including interference from U.S. President Donald Trump in matters surrounding the 2026 World Cup.

Trump publicly revealed that he had contacted FIFA to advocate for lifting a one-match suspension imposed on U.S. striker Folarin Balogun following a red card during the United States’ match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1. The penalty was rescinded the day before the Americans faced Belgium in the round of 16.

The Swiss Football Association, among FIFA’s original founding members, expressed reservations about Infantino’s vision for incorporating private investment into World Cup operations. European football leaders have signaled declining confidence in Infantino’s leadership.

Ramon Vega, a former Swiss international, remains the sole declared challenger to Infantino’s re-election bid. The presidential vote is scheduled for March 18 in Rabat, Morocco.

Recent reports suggest Victor Montagliani, head of North American confederation CONCACAF, will not enter the race before the November 18 nomination deadline. The 61-year-old Canadian reportedly informed CONCACAF staff that he plans to pursue a third full term leading the continental governing body, which represents North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

If these reports are confirmed, it would effectively eliminate Montagliani as a contender against Infantino, who assumed leadership in 2016. Despite mounting criticism since Argentina’s victory in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Infantino continues to receive backing from major stakeholders including Saudi Arabia, host nation for the 2034 World Cup, and South American confederation CONMEBOL.

Last month, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of Paris Saint-Germain and European champions, ruled himself out of the race. Speaking in Copenhagen after the European Football Clubs’ annual meeting, Al-Khelaifi stated: “I have zero interest in FIFA. I have zero agenda or ambition to be there.”

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