In the long and uneven history of global football governance, Africa's relationship with Fifa has often been defined by exclusion and neglect — which makes the continent's current alignment with Gianni Infantino something more than simple loyalty. After withdrawing a controversial privatization proposal that drew global condemnation, Infantino finds his firmest ground in Africa, where his Forward funding programme has built stadiums, trained coaches, and sustained federations that governments cannot afford to support. The unanimous backing of the African confederation and five of seven African
African football nations largely back Infantino despite global backlash
When your government can't fund football, you don't bite the hand that feeds you
Mark
Why does African support matter so much to Infantino right now?
Mimi
Because Africa controls a significant bloc of votes at Fifa, and because his support is fracturing everywhere else. If he loses Africa, he loses the re-election in 2027.
Mark
But these federations aren't backing him out of principle, are they?
Mimi
No. They're backing him because Forward funding has become essential to their operations. When your government can't fund football, and Fifa is offering millions for stadiums and training centres, you don't bite the hand that feeds you.
Mark
Is that cynical, or is it just realistic?
Mimi
It's both. It's realistic because these nations genuinely need the money. It's cynical because it means Infantino can count on their votes regardless of his governance record or his ideas about commercializing the game.
Mark
Do African officials worry about that dependency?
Mimi
Some do. You're starting to hear voices in Egypt and elsewhere saying that Fifa's engagement should mean more than just money—that good governance and transparency matter too. But those voices are quiet right now.
Mark
What happens if Infantino loses power anyway?
Mimi
Then the Forward funding might dry up, or change shape. That's the real fear. It's not just about loyalty; it's about survival.
Mark
So African support is really a bet that Infantino stays in power?
Mimi
Exactly. They're betting that backing him now ensures he stays in office and keeps the money flowing. It's a rational calculation, but it also means they're locked in.
O Pulso
- Infantino's global authority is fracturing, but Africa's unanimous institutional support has handed him a political lifeline ahead of his 2027 re-election bid.
- The Forward programme has become load-bearing infrastructure for dozens of African federations — Nigeria alone is channeling nearly $5 million into its national training centre, money no government has offered to replace.
- Morocco, Egypt, and DR Congo are not passive recipients; their federation leaders are actively campaigning for Infantino, framing his withdrawal of the privatization plan as wisdom rather than retreat.
- Dissenting voices — including a former Sierra Leone federation president and South Africa's sports minister — are urging African leaders to weigh long-term governance costs against short-term financial gains.
- A quieter but growing demand is emerging within African football: that Fifa's engagement must evolve beyond funding toward transparency, continental autonomy, and sustainable development on Africa's own terms.
In the long and uneven history of global football governance, Africa's relationship with Fifa has often been defined by exclusion and neglect — which makes the continent's current alignment with Gianni Infantino something more than simple loyalty. After withdrawing a controversial privatization proposal that drew global condemnation, Infantino finds his firmest ground in Africa, where his Forward funding programme has built stadiums, trained coaches, and sustained federations that governments cannot afford to support. The unanimous backing of the African confederation and five of seven African Fifa Council members reflects not naivety, but a clear-eyed calculation about who has shown up with resources when others have not — and who might shape the game's future if Infantino falls.
Gianni Infantino's hold on the Fifa presidency may be contested across much of the world, but in Africa it remains remarkably solid. The African confederation's executive committee voted unanimously this week to back him, with five of the continent's seven Fifa Council members — Egypt, Morocco, Niger, Mauritania, and Comoros — publicly declaring their support. The show of solidarity follows Infantino's decision to withdraw a controversial plan to sell stakes in Fifa competitions to private investors, a proposal that had triggered widespread resistance. In Africa, however, the response has been shaped by a different set of priorities.
The foundation of that support is the Forward programme, which Infantino introduced in 2016 to channel development funding into regions where commercial investment and government resources are thin. For many African federations, it has become essential. Nigeria is drawing on nearly $5 million in current Forward funding to redevelop its national training centre in Abuja. Egypt has used the money to build stadiums, train coaches, and grow women's football. Malawi's federation president was direct: his government cannot provide even $1 million annually for football, let alone what Fifa offers. DR Congo's newly elected federation president called the programme transformative and pledged support for Infantino through 2027.
Morocco occupies a particularly prominent position — home to Fifa's Africa regional office, host of multiple Fifa tournaments, and a co-host of the 2030 men's World Cup. Its federation president praised Infantino's withdrawal of the privatization proposal as a wise act of unity. Egypt's Hany Abo Rida, one of Africa's most influential football administrators, has maintained close ties with Infantino since 2016, though Egyptian officials are increasingly arguing that Fifa's engagement should extend beyond money to include stronger governance and greater continental autonomy.
Not every African voice is aligned. Former Sierra Leone federation president Isha Johansen warned against over-commercializing the game and urged leaders to consider what price accelerated development might carry. South Africa's sports minister offered a more careful note, cautioning Africa not to participate in what he called a public lynching of Infantino while reminding the continent that those demanding his removal may not have Africa's interests at heart.
What has taken shape is a transactional relationship — Infantino has invested heavily in African football at a moment of chronic need, and in return has secured institutional backing that could prove decisive in 2027. The question now quietly circulating among African officials is whether that arrangement comes with hidden costs: whether accepting funding from a president under global pressure compromises their own governance standards, or binds them to decisions made far from the continent. For now, the answer remains no. But the conversation is beginning to change.
Gianni Infantino's grip on the Fifa presidency remains secure in one corner of the world, even as his authority fractures elsewhere. The African confederation's executive committee voted unanimously this week to back him, a show of force that matters more than it might appear to observers watching from Europe or the Americas. Five of the seven African nations sitting on Fifa's Council—Egypt, Morocco, Niger, Mauritania, and Comoros—have already stepped forward publicly to declare their support. The backing comes after Infantino withdrew a controversial plan to sell stakes in Fifa's competitions to private investors, a proposal that had triggered resistance from regional governing bodies and sparked a global backlash. But in Africa, the calculus is different.
The foundation of this support is financial. In 2016, Infantino introduced the Forward programme, a funding scheme designed to channel money into football development in regions where commercial investment and government resources are scarce. For many African federations, this has become essential infrastructure. Egypt, home to the Confederation of African Football headquarters, has used Forward money to build stadiums, develop youth academies, train coaches, and expand women's football. Nigeria is eligible for up to $8 million in current Forward funding despite not qualifying for the last two World Cups; the country is currently using roughly $4.88 million to redevelop its national team training centre in Abuja, including new pitches and accommodation facilities. The Democratic Republic of Congo's newly elected federation president, Véron Mosengo-Omba, described the Forward programme as transformative and pledged continued support for Infantino through 2027. Malawi's football association president, Fleetwood Haiya, put it plainly: his government cannot spare even $1 million annually for football, let alone the millions Fifa provides.
Morocco occupies a special position. The country hosts Fifa's Africa regional office, has staged Fifa Club World Cups and a women's under-17 World Cup, and will co-host the men's 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. Its federation president, Fouzi Lekjaa, called Infantino's decision to withdraw the controversial proposal "wise" and praised him for prioritizing the unity of Fifa's 211 member associations. At a meeting in Morocco on Wednesday, senior football executives from across the continent reinforced this message.
Egypt's support is particularly significant. Hany Abo Rida, a Fifa Council member and one of Africa's most influential football administrators, has maintained close ties with Infantino since his 2016 election. The relationship between Infantino and Egypt's football establishment has deepened through years of infrastructure investment and expanded commercial opportunities. Yet even in Egypt, observers note a shift in expectations. Officials increasingly argue that Fifa's engagement with Africa should extend beyond money—that good governance, transparency, and sustainable development matter as much as funding, and that the Confederation of African Football should have more say in shaping the continent's priorities.
Not all African voices align. Isha Johansen, former president of Sierra Leone's football association and a former Fifa Council member, warned against over-commercializing the game and questioned what price African football would pay for accelerated development. She urged African football leaders to think carefully about the long-term consequences. South Africa's sports minister, Gayton McKenzie, offered a more measured caution, urging Africa not to join what he called a "public lynching" of Infantino while reminding the continent that many of those calling for his removal want to restore an older system that may not serve African interests.
The Gambia's federation president, Lamin Kaba Bajo, spoke with the confidence of someone representing a consensus. He said most of his colleagues want Infantino to stay and will work to ensure his re-election in 2027. Senegal, whose men's team ranks second in Africa behind Morocco, has not yet commented publicly. Caf president Patrice Motsepe, speaking in late July, called Infantino a "good friend" loyal to Africa and said that loyalty deserves reciprocal loyalty.
What emerges is a picture of transactional alignment. Infantino has invested heavily in African football at a moment when many nations face chronic funding shortages and crumbling infrastructure. In return, he has secured institutional backing that may prove decisive in his 2027 re-election bid. The question hanging over this arrangement is whether it can survive scrutiny. African football officials are beginning to ask whether development funded through Fifa's programmes comes with hidden costs—whether accepting money from a president under global pressure compromises their own governance standards or locks them into decisions made in distant boardrooms. For now, the answer appears to be no. But the conversation is shifting.
Citações Notáveis
When people have been loyal to you, you never stab them in the back.— Patrice Motsepe, Caf president, on Infantino's loyalty to Africa
Our government is not able to make sure that they have medical supplies in hospitals and at the same time to look at football.— Fleetwood Haiya, Malawi FA president, on why Fifa funding is essential
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