CAF’s 54 member associations unanimously back Gianni Infantino for 2027 FIFA presidency

Patrice Motsepe has confirmed that all 54 CAF member associations will support Gianni Infantino’s bid to remain FIFA president at the 2027 election.

The CAF president announced the position after Thursday’s discussions at the CAF Strategic Conference in Sal, Cape Verde, where the leaders of Africa’s 54 football federations gathered to consider the continent’s major football and development priorities.

Motsepe said the decision followed discussions within CAF and information reported by the media in recent days. He described the backing for Infantino as “unanimous and unconditional”.

“The football federations of 52 countries on the African continent took this unanimous position in the context of the discussions and what has happened in the media,” Motsepe said.

“An essential part of the resolution is that there is a unanimous decision by the 54 CAF member associations on the African continent.

“The objective is to represent the 54 countries in giving unanimous and unconditional support, because of all the discussions that have taken place, but also because of Gianni’s history and major commitment to African football.

“He is keen, as FIFA president, to express Africa’s unanimous and unconditional support for his FIFA presidency.”

The statement publicly confirms CAF’s position on the upcoming FIFA presidential election, with the continental body’s member associations represented at the conference in Cape Verde.

Motsepe made the announcement while surrounded by the heads of the 54 federations, underlining the collective nature of the decision. The conference has focused on the wider challenges facing African football and the development of the game across the continent, alongside discussions about the FIFA presidency.