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采集 2026-08-07T06:40:16+00:00
Does Africa still back Infantino as Fifa president?
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2026-08-06T19:55:58
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2026-08-06-04
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Is Gianni Infantino still backed by the African football federations? - BBC News
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# Does Africa still back Infantino as Fifa president?
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
President of the Confederation of African Football Patrice Motsepe (left) and Fifa's Gianni Infantino at the 2026 World Cup
ByTom McArthur
- Published
6 August 2026
**For now, beleaguered Fifa president Gianni Infantino still has some allies in world football, particularly in parts of the world where less well-off football associations have benefited from his presidency.**
Infantino's position has been under scrutiny since his controversial plan to sell stakes [in Fifa's global competitions to private investors was scrapped](/sport/football/articles/czekr6kn58po) having been opposed by some regional governing bodies.
Late on Thursday, the executive committee of the African confederation (Caf) unanimously confirmed its support for Infantino, after leading African football administrators sent messages backing him.
Five of the seven African countries on the Fifa Council - Egypt, Morocco, Niger, Mauritania and Comoros - have already supported him publicly.
Support from the continent largely stems from Fifa's Forward programme, a funding scheme Infantino introduced in 2016 that many African federations have become increasingly reliant on to fund football projects in areas where commercial and government investment in the sport is limited.
Our reporters and correspondents have explained below where some of Africa's key footballing nations stand.
- [Faisal Islam: Four reasons why Fifa's World Cup plan never stacked up](/news/articles/clyvd8363wlo)
- Published
5 days ago
- [Courting controversy and befriending Trump - the story of Fifa boss Infantino](/sport/football/articles/cwyg5887vp3o)
- Published
5 days ago
## Morocco
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Infantino got the backing of top football execs at a meeting in Morocco on Wednesday
Morocco's rise as one of Africa's football success stories has largely been driven by government funding, but the country has also become a key partner for Fifa.
Morocco's capital, Rabat, is home to Fifa's Africa regional office, they have hosted Fifa Club World Cups, a women's U17 World Cup and will co-host the men's 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) president Fouzi Lekjaa reaffirmed his support for Infantino after he withdrew the controversial Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal last week.
In a statement, Lekjaa described Infantino's decision to withdraw it as "wise", adding it put the unity of Fifa's 211 member associations first.
Infantino also received the backing of senior football executives [at a meeting in Morocco on Wednesday,](/sport/football/live/cq141pvn27evt?post=asset%3A0b60cc18-46da-4247-b7c6-5769cabf9516#post) following a turbulent period after the proposal's collapse.
*Reporting by Celestine Karoney*
## Egypt
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Egypt remains a staunch regional ally for Infantino
Egypt is home to the Confederation of African Football headquarters and remains one of Infantino's strongest institutional allies in Africa.
The relationship is reinforced by the influence of Hany Abo Rida, a Fifa Council member and one of the continent's most prominent football administrators, who has maintained close ties with Infantino since his election in 2016.
During Infantino's presidency, Egypt has benefited from Fifa's Forward programme, which has funded infrastructure projects, youth development, coach education and women's football.
Like other African member associations, the Egyptian Football Association has also received increased development funding under Fifa's expanded investment strategy, while new and expanded football competitions have created additional commercial and sporting opportunities.
But support for Infantino in Egypt is accompanied by growing expectations. Officials and observers increasingly argue that Fifa's engagement with Africa should extend beyond financial assistance. Greater emphasis is being placed on good governance, transparency, sustainable football development and giving Cafmore room to shape the continent's own priorities.
*Reporting by Mohamed Alkaaoud in Cairo*
## DR Congo
Image source, Getty Images
The Congolese Football Federation (Fecofa) has welcomed Infantino's decision to withdraw the controversial Forward Enterprise proposal, calling it "wise" in a statement earlier this month.
Pointing to a decade of work promoting football worldwide - and in particular his support of African nations - the federation