Infantino’s Future Should Be Decided By Election, Says CAF Chief

Infantino’s Future Should Be Decided by Election, Says CAF Chief

Confederation of African Football CAF president Patrice Motsepe has said the future of FIFA president Gianni Infantino should be decided through an election, rather than by pressure for him to resign.

Motsepe made the comments as Infantino faces growing criticism from football authorities over his controversial and ultimately abandoned proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. The FIFA president is under increasing pressure, with UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation AFC among those questioning his leadership and calling for greater transparency and consultation. Motsepe, who is also a FIFA vice-president, said any concerns about Infantino should be handled through FIFA’s established procedures. “If you want to take him out, go for elections; let the 211 member associations decide,” Motsepe said.

He argued that FIFA’s presidential election, scheduled for March 2027, should be allowed to proceed and that member associations should determine whether they still have confidence in Infantino.

The CAF president also called for those with complaints against Infantino to be given an opportunity to present their case through a proper process. “Everybody has a right to be heard,” Motsepe said, urging the parties involved to use the appropriate FIFA mechanisms.

The comments come amid a widening dispute over Infantino’s leadership. UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC have jointly increased pressure on the FIFA president, with the organisations accusing him of damaging trust and failing to adequately consult football’s governing bodies. Some federations are believed to want Infantino to step down before he can seek another term in office.

However, CAF has continued to support Infantino. Motsepe said the proposed World Cup investment arrangements had not breached FIFA rules because any final proposal would still have to be submitted to FIFA’s membership for approval. He acknowledged that there were problems surrounding the proposal but said Infantino had apologised and accepted that the process could have been handled differently.

The crisis deepened on Thursday after the Football Association of Ireland FAI became the latest FIFA member association to withdraw its support for Infantino’s re-election. The FAI said its board had decided to rescind a letter of support issued earlier in the year and had informed FIFA of its decision. The Irish association cited concerns over governance, transparency and a lack of meaningful consultation following recent events. The English FA and Welsh FA had previously withdrawn their backing for Infantino. Despite the growing opposition, Motsepe maintains that Infantino’s fate should ultimately be determined by FIFA’s 211 member associations through the ballot box. The March 2027 election could therefore become a major test of Infantino’s standing within world football as the controversy over his leadership continues. For now, CAF remains firmly behind the FIFA president, while opposition from several major football bodies and national associations continues to put his position under pressure.