African football chief calls for election to decide Infantino’s FIFA future

By Sanjay Menon — 13 August 2026 — 3 min read

The future of FIFA President Gianni Infantino should be determined by an election, according to Patrice Motsepe, the head of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF). This statement comes as several football federations have withdrawn their support for Infantino following his proposed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

Motsepe, who also serves as a FIFA vice president, emphasised that the established processes should be followed. He suggested that if there are issues with Infantino’s leadership, these should be addressed through the ballot box, allowing the 211 member associations to decide his fate. He noted that elections are scheduled for next year and that the process should be allowed to continue.

Concerns over proposed World Cup stake sale

Infantino has faced considerable criticism for his plan to sell a stake in future World Cup profits to investors. This proposal included substantial incentives for member associations that supported it. The governing bodies of European football (UEFA), North and Central America (CONCACAF), and Asia (AFC) have collectively voiced their opposition, stating that “trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority.”

These confederations have reportedly called for Infantino’s resignation before he can seek re-election in March of next year. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, whose organisation has threatened to boycott the World Cup and Club World Cup in protest of Infantino’s scheme, held talks with Motsepe in Salzburg during the UEFA Super Cup. Motsepe, however, maintained that he is careful in passing judgment and believes everyone has a right to be heard in a proper forum.

The proposed privatisation of aspects of football has raised questions about ownership within the sport. While some sports organisations, like Formula One, have seen financial and viewership improvements through private equity partnerships, the idea of privatising football has often met with negative reactions from spectators. Fan protests occurred in Germany in 2024 following an announcement of private investment in the Bundesliga, and in the UK in 2021 regarding plans for a European Super League.

Shifting support and governance concerns

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) recently became the latest FIFA member to retract its support for Infantino. The FAI board decided to rescind a previously issued letter of support, citing significant concerns regarding governance, transparency, and a lack of meaningful consultation. The English FA and Welsh FA had also previously withdrawn their backing for Infantino.

Despite the growing criticism, six Arab federations, including Qatar, Morocco, and Egypt, publicly offered their support to Infantino. CAF had also previously backed Infantino, with Motsepe asserting that there was no breach of rules concerning the World Cup sell-off discussions, as the proposals would be submitted to FIFA members for final approval. Infantino has reportedly apologised, acknowledging that certain matters could have been handled differently.

The debate over the sport’s governance extends to various aspects, including the application of rules. An example cited is the controversy surrounding the rescinded red card for US player Folarin Balogan in the 2026 World Cup, which was reportedly reversed after a call from US President Donald Trump to Infantino. Calls for improved governance have led to demands from women, athletes, and fans for greater involvement in the decision-making processes of governing bodies.

The UK’s Football Governance Act 2025 introduced an independent regulator to safeguard the financial stability of clubs for the benefit of fans and local communities. However, the decision to sell parts of an organisation, particularly when it has ample financial resources, has been questioned. UEFA has previously stated that some aspects of football are too important to be sold. The next FIFA elections are scheduled for March next year.

Source: aljazeera.com