Gianni Infantino launched a new African tour on Sunday, continuing his efforts to strengthen ties between FIFA and its member associations across the continent. This marks his second visit to Africa in 2019, following an earlier trip that focused primarily on West African nations, including Guinea, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Mauritania. Through these regular visits, the FIFA president aims to maintain close contact with local football authorities and support the development of the sport at every level.
Arriving from a prior tour of Latin America and the Caribbean, the Italian-Swiss official began this latest African leg in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. Shortly after landing on Sunday, Infantino held meetings with key figures in Malagasy and African football. Among them were Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Ahmad and Raoul Arizaka Rabekoto, head of the Malagasy Football Federation. The discussions reportedly centered on the growth of football infrastructure, youth development, and the strengthening of cooperation between FIFA and local institutions.
On Monday, Infantino also met with Madagascar’s head of state, President Andry Rajoelina. Such high-level political engagements have become a regular feature of FIFA’s diplomatic approach, as the organization seeks government support for football-related projects, including stadium construction, training centers, and grassroots initiatives. These meetings reflect FIFA’s broader strategy of aligning football development with national development plans.
Following his stop in Madagascar, Infantino is scheduled to continue his tour across several other African countries. His itinerary includes visits to Lesotho, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Mozambique, and Malawi. Each stop is expected to involve discussions with football federation officials and political leaders, with a focus on assessing local needs and exploring ways FIFA can provide technical and financial assistance.
The FIFA president is not traveling alone. His delegation includes several prominent figures within the organization. Among them is Fatma Samoura, FIFA’s Secretary General and General Delegate for Africa, who plays a key role in coordinating projects across the continent. Also present is Veron Mosengo-Omba, Director of Member Associations, responsible for supporting national federations. The group is further strengthened by the presence of former football stars Samuel Eto’o and Youri Djorkaeff, both serving as FIFA Legends. Eto’o acts as a special advisor to the CAF president, while Djorkaeff directs the FIFA Foundation, which focuses on social and humanitarian initiatives linked to football.
Infantino has been at the helm of FIFA since 2016, taking over in the aftermath of Sepp Blatter’s departure amid governance reforms. Re-elected in June in Paris, he continues to prioritize global outreach and development, with Africa remaining a key focus of his presidency.
