The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has thrown its full political weight behind Gianni Infantino, unanimously endorsing his bid to retain the FIFA presidency for the 2027–2031 cycle.
The decision emerged from a high-level gathering of CAF Member Associations held on April 29, 2026, in Vancouver, Canada. The meeting, chaired by CAF president Patrice Motsepe, concluded with all 54 African federations aligning behind Infantino, signaling a rare show of complete unity across the continent.
Africa’s consolidated stance carries significant influence. As one of FIFA’s largest voting blocs, CAF’s endorsement is widely viewed as a decisive early advantage for Infantino ahead of the next electoral congress.
Infantino, who first rose to the presidency in 2016, has already overseen three terms in office, though his initial stint began mid-cycle.
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That technicality continues to fuel debate over term limits and whether it permits him to legitimately pursue an additional four-year mandate under FIFA statutes.
During his leadership, African football has seen notable gains. These include expanded representation at the FIFA World Cup and increased financial support via development initiatives such as the FIFA Forward programme.
The upcoming 2026 tournament, set to feature 48 teams, will further boost Africa’s presence on the global stage.
The next vote for FIFA president is scheduled for the 77th FIFA Congress in 2027, which will be staged in Morocco.
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With CAF now firmly in his corner, Infantino heads toward the election cycle in a position of considerable strength, backed by a continent determined to maintain its growing influence within the global football order.
