Infantino future under spotlight as Motsepe launches robust defence of Fifa president

Gianni Infantino’s grip on the Fifa presidency is under unprecedented pressure after a deeply controversial 2026 World Cup – but one of his most powerful allies, African football chief Patrice Motsepe, has moved to shore up his position.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) president used a press conference in Morocco – originally called to announce a major increase in prize money for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations – to deliver a pointed and highly public endorsement of Infantino, as calls for the Fifa boss to resign grow louder in Europe and beyond.

“Gianni Infantino has been loyal to Africa, he’s been loyal to me. You need to have a president of Fifa who is as committed to African development and growth as Gianni Infantino is,” Motsepe said.

His intervention comes as Infantino faces a crisis of credibility over what many insiders are calling the most contentious World Cup in the organisation’s history, culminating in Spain’s victory over Argentina in Sunday’s final in New Jersey.

Record revenues overshadowed by fan anger

Financially, the 2026 tournament was a spectacular success for Fifa. The governing body generated a record-breaking $15bn (£11.7bn) in revenue, far above its initial forecast of $11bn, buoyed by the expanded 48-team format and aggressive commercial strategies.

Motsepe publicly thanked Infantino and Fifa for what he described as the “most successful Fifa World Cup in the history of the competition”, a phrase that underscored the governing body’s pride in the event’s numbers.

But that success has been accompanied by fierce backlash over spiralling costs for ordinary supporters. Across 102 matches, the median “get-in” ticket price was reported at $916 (about R15,000), while average tickets for the final reached around R195,000 – levels that critics say undermined football’s identity as “the people’s game”.

Industry figures say much of the surplus revenue came from high-end hospitality packages heavily promoted by Fifa, which further restricted access for typical fans and fuelled accusations that the tournament was increasingly geared towards elites and corporate clients.

Political controversies pile pressure on Fifa

The World Cup was also dogged by political storms that have further eroded confidence in Infantino’s leadership.

The newly created Fifa Peace Prize, awarded to then-US President Donald Trump during the World Cup draw in December, has been widely condemned and is expected to go down as a lasting stain on the organisation’s history.

Other flashpoints included:

– Somali referee Omar Artan being denied entry to the United States to officiate at the tournament. – The treatment of Iran’s national team, which drew widespread criticism. – Fifa’s decision to overturn a suspension for red-carded United States forward Folarin Balogun, reportedly at Trump’s urging.

These incidents have added to a perception in parts of the game that Infantino presided over a tournament where political interference and questionable decision-making crossed red lines.

La Liga president Javier Tebas has joined Uefa executive committee members and 72 members of the European Parliament in publicly calling for Infantino to step down.

Africa’s decisive role in Infantino’s fate

Motsepe’s defence of Infantino is not simply personal. It also reflects the strategic weight Africa holds in Fifa politics.

Africa, with 54 member associations, has the second-largest voting bloc in Fifa after Europe’s 55. The continent has traditionally voted as a united front, making its backing pivotal in any presidential election.

Motsepe highlighted that the expanded 48-team World Cup format delivered concrete gains for the continent, doubling Africa’s representation from five teams to 10. For many African federations, that change is seen as a landmark victory and a key reason for continued loyalty to Infantino.

“Gianni Infantino has been loyal to Africa, he’s been loyal to me. You need to have a president of Fifa who is as committed to African development and growth as Gianni Infantino is,” Motsepe reiterated, underlining where his support lies.

With Infantino expected to seek another term at the 77th Fifa Congress in Morocco on 18 March 2027, Africa’s stance could prove decisive.

Battle lines drawn ahead of 2027 vote

Whether Motsepe’s backing – and that of African federations – will be enough to secure Infantino re-election in the face of mounting global opposition remains unclear.

Parts of the football world appear to be preparing for open confrontation with the Fifa president, citing political controversies, fan alienation and concern over governance standards.

For now, though, Motsepe has made his position unmistakably clear, signalling he intends to stand firmly alongside Infantino as the storm around Fifa’s leadership intensifies.