Rabat – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has given full support to Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA President, with all 54 member associations agreeing to back him for the 2027-2031 cycle.
The decision was made during a meeting in Vancouver, Canada, on April 29, chaired by CAF President Patrice Motsepe.
The timing is significant, coming just before the 76th FIFA Congress, and signals Africa’s united position ahead of the 2027 election.
Africa holds one of the largest voting blocs in FIFA, and its collective stance could prove decisive.
Under FIFA’s statutes, a president can serve a maximum of three terms, each lasting four years.
Infantino was first elected in February 2016 to complete the remainder of Sepp Blatter’s mandate. He was re-elected in 2019 for a full term, and again in 2023 in Kigali, extending his leadership until 2027.
A key point of debate has been whether his initial 2016-2019 spell counts as a full term. Because he stepped in mid‑cycle, many associations argue it should not be considered one of the three allowed terms. That interpretation would make him eligible to run again in 2027.
CAF’s endorsement strengthens Infantino’s position. During his presidency, Africa has gained expanded World Cup slots, increased funding through FIFA Forward programs, and hosted major tournaments.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature a record number of African teams thanks to the expansion to 48 nations, a reform pushed under his leadership.
The next decisive moment will come at the 77th FIFA Congress in 2027, where all 211 member associations will vote.
Morocco has already been chosen to host that congress, placing the continent at the center of global football governance once again.
For CAF, the unanimous support reflects satisfaction with recent reforms and a desire to maintain influence in FIFA’s leadership.
For Infantino, it is a major boost as he prepares to seek another four‑year mandate.
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