The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reaffirmed its support for Gianni Infantino's candidacy for the FIFA presidency. CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe announced that all 54 CAF member associations will back Infantino in the upcoming FIFA presidential election. This declaration was made during the CAF Strategy Conference in Sal, Cabo Verde, where Motsepe emphasized the continent's collective support for Infantino's leadership.
Infantino has expressed satisfaction with the progress made in Africa regarding national teams' ability to host international matches at home. Two years ago, around 26 African nations faced challenges in hosting international matches domestically. However, the situation has improved, with 40 of CAF's 54 member associations now capable of hosting home matches. This development is a significant step towards enhancing football infrastructure across the continent.
Despite the progress, 14 African nations still encounter difficulties in hosting international matches at home. Infantino emphasized that FIFA's goal is to ensure all 54 African countries have the necessary facilities and conditions to host international fixtures on their home soil. To achieve this, FIFA will continue collaborating with CAF and its member associations to address the remaining challenges and improve football infrastructure.
The CAF Strategy Conference, a three-day event, has brought together presidents of CAF's 54 member associations, zonal union presidents, CAF Executive Committee members, national team coaches, technical leaders, and international football experts. The conference focuses on the growth and development of African football, including lessons learned from the continent's record participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Discussions at the conference cover key areas of African football development, including infrastructure, national teams, competitions, technical development, and strengthening the game across the continent. The event provides a platform for stakeholders to share insights, address challenges, and strategize for the future of African football.
The conference also highlights the importance of collaboration and collective effort in advancing African football. By working together, CAF member associations, FIFA, and other stakeholders aim to drive progress and achieve common goals. The outcome of the conference is expected to shape the future of football in Africa and contribute to its continued growth and development.
As the FIFA presidential election approaches, CAF's unified support for Infantino underscores the confidence of African football stakeholders in his leadership. With a focus on improving football infrastructure and addressing challenges, the football community in Africa looks forward to continued progress and growth under Infantino's potential leadership.
Key points
- CAF's 54 member associations have pledged support for Gianni Infantino's FIFA presidency bid.
- 40 of CAF's 54 member associations can now host international matches at home, up from 28 two years ago.
- FIFA aims to ensure all 54 African countries can host international fixtures on their home soil.
