Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has rejected calls for an immediate leadership change at FIFA, arguing that the future of FIFA president Gianni Infantino should be decided through the organisation’s established electoral process rather than through a campaign to force him out.
Speaking amid growing opposition to Infantino from several football confederations, Motsepe said FIFA’s 211 member associations should determine the president’s future at the organisation’s next election in March 2027. His comments were reported on August 13, 2026.
A Growing Leadership Crisis.
Infantino has faced mounting criticism following controversy surrounding FIFA’s proposal to introduce private investment into its competitions through the planned FIFA Forward Enterprise.
The proposal has generated opposition from several parts of world football, with UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF among those expressing serious concerns. Some opponents have gone further, calling for Infantino to resign.
The disagreement has consequently developed into a broader debate about FIFA governance, transparency and the concentration of power within the organisation.
Motsepe Calls for Due Process.
Motsepe’s position is that Infantino should not be removed outside the established electoral framework.
The CAF president has emphasised principles of unity, accountability, fairness and due process, arguing that FIFA already has mechanisms through which complaints and disagreements can be addressed.
His position effectively places the decision in the hands of FIFA’s 211 member associations rather than individual confederations seeking to force an early leadership change.
Africa Remains Behind Infantino.
CAF has already demonstrated its support for Infantino.
On August 6, the CAF Executive Committee unanimously reaffirmed its backing for the FIFA president and his 2027 re-election bid. Africa’s position is significant because CAF represents 54 of FIFA’s 211 member associations, making the continent one of the most important voting blocs in FIFA politics.
Motsepe has also previously described Infantino as a loyal friend of African football and credited his administration with supporting the continent’s development within the global game.
Europe Wants Change.
The position from Africa contrasts sharply with the growing resistance in Europe. UEFA has been at the centre of opposition to Infantino’s leadership, particularly over the proposed private-investment structure for FIFA competitions.
Reports published today indicate that UEFA is considering further measures to challenge Infantino’s position, including a possible vote of no confidence if he refuses to step aside or withdraw from the 2027 election. This places African football on a different side of an increasingly significant governance dispute.
Africa’s Political Influence.
Motsepe’s position also highlights the growing political importance of Africa within FIFA. With 54 voting associations, Africa has the largest bloc of national associations within a single FIFA confederation. Its support could therefore prove important in determining the outcome of the 2027 presidential election.
The question is whether that support will remain unified as the controversy surrounding Infantino develops. Some African football leaders have publicly backed him. Mathurin de Chacus, president of the Benin Football Federation and a member of the CAF Executive Committee, said he saw no reason not to support Infantino.
The Real Test Comes in 2027.
Motsepe’s intervention does not mean the controversy surrounding Infantino has disappeared.
Instead, it moves the debate toward the 2027 FIFA election, where the 211 member associations will ultimately have the opportunity to decide whether Infantino deserves another term. For now, CAF remains firmly behind the FIFA president.
But with UEFA and other confederations challenging his leadership, the months leading to the FIFA Congress in Rabat are likely to become increasingly important for the future direction of world football.
Comments (0)
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts.