EXCLUSIVE: Patrice Motsepe rallies African behind Infantino ahead of crucial FIFA election
Patrice Motsepe has delivered another emphatic show of support for Gianni Infantino, insisting Africa will stand behind the FIFA president as the battle for the organisation’s top job gathers momentum.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe has once again put the weight of African football behind Gianni Infantino, delivering a strong message of solidarity to the FIFA president during a major CAF gathering in Cabo Verde.
Speaking in Sal in front of 52 of CAF’s 54 member association presidents, Motsepe reaffirmed Africa’s support for Infantino ahead of the next FIFA presidential election.
The message was that Africa stands with the FIFA president and his re-election bid, and, according to the position expressed by Motsepe, intends to remain firmly behind him.
It is the latest indication that the FIFA president continues to enjoy substantial support from the African football family despite mounting political pressure elsewhere.
Patrice Motsepe also used the occasion to express solidarity with Gianni Infantino’s wife and family following comments made about them in the media, adding a personal dimension to his backing of the FIFA chief.
Patrice Motsepe refuses to shift position
The intervention is significant because Patrice Motsepe has been consistent in his support for Gianni Infantino.
CAF member associations had already backed Infantino for another term, giving him the support of one of FIFA’s largest continental voting blocs. Motsepe has also previously argued that Infantino’s future should ultimately be decided by FIFA’s members through an election.
That stance has become increasingly relevant as opposition to Infantino has emerged in different parts of world football.
The FIFA president is seeking another mandate at the 2027 FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco. With the election approaching, securing the support of the six continental confederations and their member associations will be central to the campaign.
For Infantino, Africa represents a particularly important constituency since CAF has 54 member associations, more than any other FIFA confederation, meaning a united African vote could provide a formidable foundation for an incumbent seeking re-election.
Cabo Verde meeting takes on political significance
Patrice Motsepe’s latest comments came during the CAF Strategy Conference in Sal, an event designed to bring together African football leaders to discuss the development and future of the game on the continent.
The gathering has also provided a platform for Infantino to strengthen his relationship with African football.
FIFA has repeatedly highlighted its investment in African football through the FIFA Forward programme, while Infantino has promised further support for infrastructure, competitions and development across the continent.
The timing is difficult to ignore.
Africa enjoyed a historic 2026 World Cup campaign, with nine of its 10 participating nations reaching the knockout stage. The continent’s progress has strengthened the argument that increased investment can produce greater results on the global stage.
Infantino has sought to position FIFA as a major partner in that development, and Motsepe’s latest comments suggest that the relationship between the FIFA president and African football leadership remains strong.
A powerful voting bloc
The FIFA presidency is not decided by continental confederations alone. Each FIFA member association has one vote, making the support of individual national associations crucial.
That makes CAF’s position particularly important. If African associations maintain their previously stated backing, Infantino would enter the election with a sizeable bloc of votes already aligned with his campaign.
However, the road to the 2027 election is far from over. Potential challengers could still emerge, while individual associations ultimately retain their voting rights.
For now, though, Motsepe has removed little doubt about where CAF’s leadership stands. In Sal, with the overwhelming majority of African federation presidents in the room, the president delivered another clear message to the football world.
Africa, at least under Patrice Motsepe’s leadership, remains firmly behind Gianni Infantino.
