African Football Backs Infantino As UEFA Announces World Cup Boycott

CAF supports FIFA President Infantino

CAF leadership stands with Infantino ahead of FIFA re-election bid.Motsepe and CAF back Infantino despite global criticism of World Cup plan.

CAF sides with Infantino over World Cup commercial rights row...

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said on Thursday it had “unanimously reconfirmed its backing for FIFA President Gianni Infantino” following his unsuccessful attempt to sell World Cup stakes.

The statement came on the same day UEFA announced it would boycott future World Cups at every level while Infantino remains in charge. Meanwhile, CAF’s top decision-making body voiced its support as the FIFA president prepares to seek re-election in March next year.

CAF represents 54 of FIFA’s 211 member associations and remains a major voting bloc that has largely backed Infantino since he took office in 2016.

“The CAF EXCO unanimously reconfirmed its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino and thanked him for his support for African football over the years,” CAF said in a statement.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe also welcomed FIFA’s commitment to review the process behind the proposal that triggered the dispute. National federations had strongly opposed the abandoned plan to sell part of the World Cup’s commercial rights, saying they were left out of the discussions.

“CAF welcomes and endorses the ’Joint Update by’ FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom,” Motsepe said, but stressed the need for good governance and transparency in global football.

“We are committed to continue working together with FIFA, its member associations, other football Confederations and stakeholders to safeguard and adhere to governance, due process, and transparency global best practises and to contribute to the development and growth of football worldwide.”

CAF’s backing offers Infantino some breathing room after facing widespread criticism for his shelved proposal to create the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) and sell off World Cup commercial rights.

Earlier this week, five of Africa’s most prominent football officials publicly voiced support for Infantino. They also welcomed the decision to scrap his contentious plan to sell a share of future World Cup revenues.

Those pledging support included CAF Vice President Fouzi Lekjaa of Morocco and FIFA Council members Hany Abo Rida from Egypt, Hamidou Djibrilla from Niger, and Ahmed Yahya from Mauritania.

The CAF Executive Committee (“EXCO”) unanimously endorses the “Joint Update” by the FIFA President and Secretary General on the FIFA Forward Enterprise and will continue to focus on making African Football amongst the best in the world and adhering to governance and transparency…

— CAF Media (@CAF_Media) August 6, 2026

Veron Mosengo-Omba, who was recently elected president of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s football federation and previously served as CAF general secretary, also voiced his support.

Motsepe had already spoken highly of Infantino days before the World Cup commercial rights controversy emerged.

“I personally support Gianni Infantino,” he said. “He's not just a good friend. 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.”