African football administrators have reaffirmed their unwavering support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, following his decision to abandon a controversial proposal to raise $4.2 billion by selling a minority stake in a new commercial rights body.
While regional confederations in Europe, Asia, and North America have recently declared a loss of confidence in Infantino’s leadership, the 54-member African bloc remains his most vital base of political power heading into the next FIFA presidential election.
The Collapse of the FIFA World Cup “Sale”
The controversy centred on a project known as the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE)—a proposed $20 billion subsidiary designed to manage the World Cup and other major events. Under the plan, external investors would have purchased a 20 percent minority stake for approximately $4.2 billion, with the investment group led by Thrive Eternal, a firm founded by U.S. investor Joshua Kushner.
However, the initiative faced immediate backlash from UEFA and UK leaders, with critics arguing that the World Cup is not FIFA’s to sell. Under intense pressure, Infantino officially scrapped the project—a move that was welcomed by African football administrators who maintained their support for his presidency.
Patrice Motsepe: “He’s a Loyal Friend to Africa”
Billionaire and CAF President Patrice Motsepe praised Infantino in a statement published by Reuters, saying: “He’s a loyal friend. He’s loyal to Africa. I come from a background where when people have been loyal to you, you never stab them in the back.”
This sentiment was echoed by other high-ranking CAF officials, including Vice President Fouzi Lekjaa of Morocco and FIFA Council members from Egypt, Niger, and Mauritania. These leaders praised the decision to drop the World Cup “sale” while reaffirming their commitment to Infantino’s continued leadership.
Why Africa Backs Infantino
The support from African nations is largely driven by reliance on FIFA’s financial development programmes. Infantino originally won the continent’s backing in February 2016 by promising to more than double development money—a figure that has since expanded into the FIFA Forward programme.
Today, FIFA guarantees each member association $8 million every four years, providing an essential lifeline for nations like Malawi and Comoros that lack corporate sponsors and government infrastructure. For many developing African nations, these funds are critical to the survival of national football programmes.
The Realities of African Football
Reuters reported that officials from Comoros emphasise that unlike wealthy European associations, smaller African federations need FIFA grants to afford expensive training gear, youth development, and international travel logistics. Meanwhile, administrators from Malawi highlight that domestic governments must prioritise urgent public infrastructure and medical supplies over sports, leaving FIFA’s direct funding as the primary driver of football development across the region.
