Africa’s endorsement boosts Infantino’s re-election bid as he pledges greater support

Infantino will feel even stronger now that the opposition led by UEFA, CONCACAF and, to an extent, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), appears to be struggling to find a strong candidate to oppose him. The Swiss-Italian citizen’s message in Africa has been simple, that they continue together, guaranteeing them his undivided support, something many feel is not a failed accomplishment on the other side.

"And we need to continue, of course, together on this path. Because it's up to you, the member associations of CAF, who are also member associations of FIFA, to tell us what you want to do, how you want to continue, how we can make you stronger and you in Africa and everyone in the entire world. Because we always have to seek, of course, unity and growth in the entire world," said Infantino

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"And this is because, and I repeat, football belongs to everyone, everywhere, everyone, everywhere. And we have to find the opportunities and the resources for this to become a reality."

Africa brings the second largest block of votes to the FIFA elective congress with 54 countries, after UEFA’s 55. 

The Infantino endorsement that followed after day two of his conference, led by CAF President Patrice Moptsepe, flanked by himself and 52 of the 54 FA Presidents from Africa, was just a confirmation of his African vote. His campaigning tool has been very easy, reminding the African federations of the big supportive role he’s played in their rise in the past few years, with nine out of 10 nations making it to the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time.

But SABC Sport knows that Infantino equally understands that block support from CAF member associations won’t be a translation to votes, in what will be a secret ballot in Morocco, in March next year. That’s exactly what happened in 2015, when Infantino himself benefited from some African federations, who voted for him despite CAF having gone public with a vote-block pledge to Asia’s Sheik Salman bin Al Khalifa. Referencing that they have used FIFA Forward’s Funding in the last 10 years, Infantino, this is a great story to tell in Africa.

Previously, Infantino had a goal that FIFA would help each and every member association to have a world-class match venue where international football matches that will meet the highest standards would be played. This had been a huge challenge in African football, especially the quality of pitches, and led to FIFA and CAF setting compliance standards and some countries playing outside their home countries. What started as 26 nations playing outside their countries has now moved to over 41 countries playing at home, and Infantino also takes credit for this.

It’s mainly governments that have been responsible for the improvement of the stadia infrastructure with the member associations playing a supporting role but funding coming through the state. CAF President Patrice Motsepe has also been leading this conversation in visiting heads of states on the continent.