FIFA president Gianni Infantino has promised further resources for African football, telling the presidents of the continent’s 54 national associations that world football’s governing body will continue increasing its investment to help Africa compete at the highest level.
Infantino was speaking on Thursday at the CAF Strategy Conference in Cabo Verde, where the FIFA president addressed African football leaders at a gathering focused on strengthening the game across the continent.
He used the occasion to highlight FIFA’s investment in Africa since his election in 2016, saying the governing body had channelled $1 billion into the continent through its FIFA Forward programme over the past decade.
“As FIFA president, I am proud to have contributed with you a little bit in this revolution in African football in the last 10 years,” Infantino said.
“With the FIFA Forward programme we have invested one billion dollars in 10 years in Africa, with 124 different projects and many other actions.”
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Infantino also pointed to Africa’s performance at the 2026 World Cup as evidence of the continent’s growing strength.
Ten African teams took part in the tournament, with nine reaching the knockout stage, a significant improvement on the 2018 edition when none of Africa’s representatives progressed beyond the group stage.
“Ten countries at the last World Cup has been a success for the entire continent,” Infantino said.
“We need to continue together on this path, because it is up to you as CAF to tell us what you want. How we can make you stronger and better.”
His comments came against the backdrop of a major setback for his wider commercial plans.
Infantino had proposed selling a stake in FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, but shelved the idea in July following opposition, particularly from European and North American football associations.
The proposal also came as support for Infantino ahead of next year’s FIFA presidential election has become more contested, although he did not directly refer to either issue in his address in Cabo Verde.
Instead, Infantino stressed dialogue when disagreements arise within the football community.
“When you go through a journey, sometimes concerns are raised,” he said. “When they are raised, we have to address them.”
“As far as we are concerned at FIFA, we address them always with the spirit of dialogue and with open arms, an open heart and an open mind. We can always be better and do better.”
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The FIFA president then reiterated his commitment to expanding support for African football, leaving the CAF presidents with an invitation to identify the areas where further assistance is required.
“We will continue to look for the resources and the increases that are necessary to boost the African game to the top of world football,” he said.
His pledge comes as CAF works through a broader strategy for developing football across its 54 member associations, with the conference examining infrastructure, competitions, technical development.
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