Africa is no longer a safe vote for Infantino

Africa remains one of the great bastions of Gianni Infantinobut the apparent unanimity around the FIFA president is beginning to crack. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially maintains its support for the Swiss and has defended his management at the head of the organization, but this institutional support does not necessarily correspond with the feelings of the national federations. With 54 votes in the FIFA Congress, only one less than Europe, its role is decisive.

During his years at the head of FIFA, Infantino has built a particularly close relationship with Africa. The increase in investments aimed at the development of football, financing programs and a greater presence of African teams in major competitions have consolidated a network of support that the president cannot afford to lose under any circumstances. The CAF has also made its institutional position clear. But the support of the confederation does not force the federations to vote in the same direction.

There appears the most surprising part of the story. “My estimate is that at least half are against Infantino,” says a source with an active role in African football and who has spoken to L’Équipe; a perception shared by Constant Omari, former president of the Congolese Federation and former member of the FIFA Council. “The official position exists, but outside the spotlight there is resistance among the federations. With a secret vote, today there could even be half of us who do not respect the slogans,” says Omari. A statement that paints a very different scenario than the one conveyed by the official support of the CAF.

The point is not that Africa has turned its back on Infantino. The issue is that you can no longer take it for granted that the 54 African votes will reach the polls together. If the estimate of those who speak of internal resistance is close to reality, Infantino’s great supposed ally could also become one of the main sources of uncertainty facing 2027.