CAF President Patrice Motsepe has backed an electoral process to determine the future of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, saying the organisation’s 211 member associations should decide whether he remains in office.
Motsepe made the position clear amid growing criticism of Infantino and calls from some of FIFA’s regional confederations for a change in leadership.
The CAF president said there was no need to remove Infantino outside the established electoral process, with a FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 2027 in Rabat, Morocco.
“Elections are taking place next year. We should allow that process to continue and let the 211 members decide,” Motsepe said in an interview with Sky News.
He added: “If you want to take him out, go for elections. Simple as that.”
Motsepe also reaffirmed CAF’s support for Infantino, arguing that the FIFA president had maintained a strong relationship with African football.
“He has been loyal to African football,” Motsepe said, adding that Infantino “enjoys the support of Africa”.
The comments come as pressure mounts on Infantino following criticism from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF over his leadership and his handling of a controversial proposal involving private investment in FIFA competitions.
Despite the growing opposition in some quarters, Motsepe’s position suggests that CAF wants Infantino’s fate to be settled through the ballot rather than through efforts to force him out before the election.
The 2027 election is therefore expected to provide a major test of Infantino’s standing within world football, with FIFA’s member associations ultimately holding the power to determine whether he continues as president.
