FIFA president Gianni Infantino outlined an ambitious vision for the future of African football on Thursday during a visit to Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Speaking at a press conference as part of his ongoing tour of the continent, the head of world football presented several major projects aimed at transforming the sport across Africa, including the creation of a new “African League,” significant financial investment, and the construction of modern stadiums.
Infantino emphasized the need to elevate African club football to a higher level of competitiveness and visibility on the global stage. Central to his proposal is the launch of an elite continental competition that would bring together the strongest teams from across Africa. According to him, this “African League” would feature the 20 best clubs on the continent, competing regularly in a structured and high-profile tournament designed to showcase the quality of African football.
He argued that such a competition could quickly become financially successful and commercially attractive. Infantino estimated that the league could generate at least 200 million dollars in revenue, a figure that would immediately rank it among the top ten football leagues worldwide in terms of earnings. For the FIFA president, this financial potential represents a key step toward strengthening African clubs and providing them with the resources needed to grow and compete internationally.
Beyond revenue, Infantino stressed that the project is also intended to address a longstanding issue: the steady departure of African players to foreign leagues. Many of the continent’s most talented footballers leave early in their careers in search of better opportunities abroad. By creating a strong and well-funded domestic competition, he hopes to offer players more reasons to stay and develop within Africa, thereby improving the overall standard of the game locally.
The FIFA chief also revealed broader investment plans to support infrastructure development. He spoke of bringing together investors to raise as much as one billion dollars to modernize football facilities across the continent. The objective is to ensure that every African nation has at least one stadium that meets FIFA and international standards, allowing countries to host major competitions and provide better conditions for both players and supporters.
In addition to infrastructure and competitions, Infantino addressed the importance of refereeing standards. He proposed selecting the best African referees, offering them proper compensation, and moving toward a more professional and independent system. By depoliticizing refereeing and ensuring officials are trained and paid appropriately, he believes the quality and credibility of matches will improve significantly.
Throughout his remarks, Infantino reiterated his determination to see African football reach new heights. He described the continent as full of talent and potential that has yet to be fully realized. With stronger leagues, improved facilities, and better organization, he is convinced that African football can compete with the best in the world.
His visit to Lubumbashi thus served not only as a symbolic gesture but also as a platform to present a comprehensive strategy aimed at reshaping the future of the game across Africa.
