Full Breakdown
Infantino’s Re-Election Hangs on Uncertain African Support
8/13/2026, 11:53:33 PM
The Election Stakes
Gianni Infantino is seeking another term as FIFA president at the 77th Congress in Rabat, Morocco, on March 17. Any challenger must file by the November 18 deadline. A simple majority of 106 of the 211 member-association votes is required to win. Africa’s 54 member associations represent a sizable share, but the continent does not vote as a bloc.
CAF Endorsement vs. Block-Vote Reality
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has publicly backed Infantino, citing his record of increasing FIFA grants to African members. Formal backing has been recorded from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Mauritania, Morocco and Niger, with additional informal endorsements noted.
Historically, CAF’s endorsement has not guaranteed a unified African vote. In 1998 CAF aligned with UEFA’s Lennart Johansson, yet African associations overwhelmingly elected Sepp Blatter. Four years later, when CAF president Issa Hayatou challenged Blatter, the Swiss incumbent again secured the majority of African votes. In 2016 Infantino won despite CAF’s official support for rival Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, and in 2018 eleven African nations voted for the North-American World Cup bid rather than the CAF-backed Moroccan bid, largely over the Western Sahara dispute.
Data & Statistics
- 54 African associations out of 211 total FIFA members.
- A simple majority of 106 votes is needed when two candidates stand.
- Continental confederation presidents sit on the FIFA Council as vice-presidents but do not hold voting rights in the presidential election.
Official Statements & Responses
Patrice Motsepe told Sky News that the “process” must be respected and that “if you want to take him out, go for elections. Simple as that.” He added that the vote will express whether members have confidence in Infantino.
The English FA and Welsh FA have withdrawn their backing.
Criticism & Opposition
UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF issued a joint letter accusing Infantino of “deception” after his abandoned plan to sell stakes in future World Cups to private investors. The three confederations have threatened to boycott the World Cup and Club World Cup unless the president steps down before the election, arguing that “trust is broken” and calling for his resignation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “If anybody has got any problem against anybody, whether it's Gianni, whether it is anybody else, follow the process, follow the FIFA process, simple as that,” — Patrice Motsepe
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Reuters interviews indicate that while CAF’s public endorsement appears strong, several African association leaders remain “cautious” and have not publicly committed to a vote. No definitive tally exists of how many of the 54 African members will ultimately support Infantino, leaving a key uncertainty for the March election.
What’s Next
Potential challengers must submit their candidacies by November 18. The decisive vote will occur on March 17 at the FIFA Congress in Morocco, where the collective choices of Africa’s 54 associations could tip the balance in a contest that requires only 106 votes to win.
