Top Africa football leaders back Infantino after FIFA selloff scandal

Top African football officials have expressed their support for Gianni Infantino, the embattled FIFA president, as he faces mounting criticism over the collapse of his controversial plan to sell a stake in future World Cup revenue. Five prominent African football leaders have publicly backed Infantino, signaling that the continent's 54 member nations might still provide crucial support during his re-election campaign later this year. This comes as several other global football bodies, including UEFA and CONCACAF, have voiced their loss of confidence in Infantino's leadership. The African Football Confederation (CAF) is set to meet on Thursday to discuss the abandoned plan, which aimed to generate $4.2 billion through a new commercial rights organization. While CAF has remained silent on whether it supports Infantino's continued tenure as FIFA president, some key figures within the organization have made their positions clear. CAF Vice President Fouzi Lekjaa from Morocco, along with Hany Abo Rida (Egypt), Hamidou Djibrilla (Niger), and Ahmed Yhaya (Mauritania), have all offered public support to Infantino. Additionally, Veron Mosengo-Omba, newly elected president of the Democratic Republic of Congo's football federation and a former CAF general secretary, has also voiced his backing for the Swiss leader. Infantino's initial proposal to sell a portion of World Cup revenue to private investors faced widespread opposition, prompting him to abandon the plan under intense pressure. Despite this, African football leaders have emphasized the importance of maintaining financial assistance from FIFA, which has been critical for many struggling member associations. Countries such as the Comoros and Malawi have highlighted their reliance on FIFA funds to develop football infrastructure and programs, underscoring the significance of continued support for Infantino. The financial aid provided by FIFA plays a vital role in ensuring that less economically developed nations can participate effectively in international competitions. Each of FIFA's 211 member associations receives a guaranteed baseline funding of $8 million over a four-year period, while CAF also provides additional annual grants to its members. This financial support has been a cornerstone of Infantino's popularity among African nations, many of whom rely heavily on these resources to sustain their football development initiatives. Meanwhile, the situation continues to evolve as other football federations begin to distance themselves from Infantino. According to a source familiar with the matter, England's Football Association is likely to formally withdraw its support for Infantino's re-election bid. This follows Wales' earlier announcement that it had withdrawn its backing due to concerns over Infantino's leadership and governance practices. The Welsh Football Association cited a series of failures in good governance, communication, and judgment as reasons for its decision. Infantino finds himself under increasing scrutiny as regional confederations, particularly UEFA and CONCACAF, have also expressed their lack of confidence in his leadership. UEFA, which led the opposition to the proposed sale of World Cup revenue, has reportedly initiated an internal investigation into the matter. Although UEFA has not confirmed media reports suggesting it may pursue legal action against FIFA, it has issued a document preservation order to safeguard relevant information during the inquiry. Despite the growing challenges, Infantino remains focused on securing his re-election for the 2027-2031 term. He had previously indicated his intention to seek a fourth consecutive term as FIFA president, having been re-elected unopposed twice since assuming office in 2016. However, the backlash surrounding the failed investment plan has raised questions about his ability to maintain broad support from FIFA members ahead of the upcoming Congress in Morocco. Experts suggest that the current climate of uncertainty could significantly impact Infantino's prospects for re-election.