Motsepe rules out third CAF term and dismisses FIFA presidency talk

CAF president Patrice Motsepe says he will not stand for a third term in charge of African football – and has insisted he has “no desire or ambition” ever to run world governing body FIFA.

The South African billionaire was speaking at a media briefing in Sandton, Johannesburg, where he underlined that his current second term at the helm of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) would be his last.

Motsepe, who was first elected in 2021 and then re‐elected in 2025 at CAF’s 14th extraordinary general assembly, said he would refuse any attempt to convince him to extend his stay in office beyond the end of his present mandate.

“You must be careful about being persuaded. There are certain things you should never be persuaded about and nobody is going to persuade me to serve more than two terms in CAF. It’s not going to happen,” Motsepe said.

The 62‐year‐old’s stance sets a clear time limit on his leadership at a moment when term‐limit debates remain highly sensitive in African sports and politics.

No appetite for FIFA’s top job

Motsepe went further by shutting down any suggestion that he might one day seek to lead FIFA, football’s most powerful institution.

“This thing about FIFA, I love FIFA. Enormous contribution that FIFA does, but I have no desire or ambition to be president of FIFA. It doesn’t excite me,” he said.

The mining magnate instead threw his unequivocal backing behind current FIFA president Gianni Infantino, crediting him with helping to drive development of the game on the African continent.

“We took a decision to, and I personally support (Gianni) Infantino. He is a loyal friend. He is loyal to Africa. I come from a background where when people are loyal to you, you never stab them in the back. You never do that. And as I said, FIFA does not need me. Nobody is going to be able to change my views on those things.”

His comments signal that any future campaign for football’s most influential office is unlikely to come from the current CAF leadership, despite Africa’s growing weight in the global game.

Focus on institutions, not personalities

Motsepe also cautioned against placing too much emphasis on individual figures in football administration.

“There are other people who are very good. We’ve got to be careful that we do not start focusing on certain individuals,” he said, suggesting that CAF’s long‐term strength should depend on its systems and collective leadership rather than on a single high‐profile president.

Since assuming office in 2021, Motsepe has positioned himself as a consensus‐builder within African football, arriving at CAF with strong backing from several regional blocs and the open support of FIFA.

His early declaration that he will not exceed two terms marks him out from some predecessors in African sport who have faced criticism over prolonged stays in power.

Succession questions for African football

Motsepe’s decision not to continue beyond his second term will sharpen attention on the next generation of leaders within CAF’s executive structures and among national association heads.

With Africa set to play a central role at the expanded 2026 World Cup and amid growing interest from global broadcasters and sponsors, the eventual handover at CAF is likely to be closely watched.

For now, Motsepe maintains that his focus remains on completing his current mandate – but his firm rejection of both a third CAF term and any future FIFA bid has already begun to shape the conversation about who will guide African football in the years ahead.