The move puts the 54-member voting bloc at odds with European football authorities and other critics of Gianni Infantino
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unanimously reaffirmed its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino despite mounting calls for his resignation over a failed proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup’s commercial operations to private investors.
CAF’s Executive Committee announced its position following a meeting on Thursday, thanking Infantino for his support for African football.
The endorsement provides important backing for Infantino after football bodies in Europe, Asia, and North and Central America opposed his now-withdrawn investment plan. The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is now seeking a challenger to his presidency.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe defended the decision, saying that when people have been “loyal to you,” one should “never stab them in the back.”
All 54 CAF member associations had already agreed in April to support Infantino’s reelection for the 2027–2031 term, giving him the backing of one of FIFA’s largest voting blocs.
Under the disputed proposal, FIFA would have created a commercial subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise to control major revenue-generating operations, including those linked to the World Cup. FIFA had sought to raise around $4.2 billion by selling a minority stake in the business, which it valued at $20 billion.
Potential investors reportedly included Thrive Capital, founded by Joshua Kushner, whose brother Jared is US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.
FIFA said that the proposal would provide each of its 211 member associations with $20 million and increase funding for football development. Critics argued that it was developed without adequate consultation and could place part of the World Cup’s commercial future under private control.
The organization, however, withdrew the plan on Saturday after concluding that it had “created divisions” that were “no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place.” UEFA has since threatened legal action over the process through which the proposal was developed.
On Friday, the Norwegian Football Federation became the first national association to call directly for the FIFA chief’s resignation.
“There is no trust in Infantino now,” federation president Lise Klaveness told the Guardian, adding that there was “no way back” for him.
Infantino has also faced scrutiny over his close relationship with Trump after awarding the US leader FIFA’s inaugural peace prize in December, citing his efforts to resolve international conflicts. The New York Post reported last month that Trump wants Infantino to become the next Secretary-General of the UN.
Norway has said its planned complaint to FIFA’s Ethics Committee will cover both the award to Trump and the failed investment proposal.
FIFA has apologized for mistakes in handling the proposal and promised to review its decision-making processes. CAF welcomed the apology and endorsed the planned review.
Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, is seeking another term in an election scheduled to take place in Morocco in March 2027.
