By Michael Uugwanga
WITH FIFA president Gianni Infantino facing questions over his leadership and the next presidential election approaching, the question remains whether Africa is ready to put forward a candidate to challenge him for football’s top job.
The FIFA presidential election is expected to take place at the organisation’s next elective Congress in Rabat, Morocco, in 2027. However, no African candidate has so far emerged as a serious contender for the position.
Africa commands 54 votes through its member associations affiliated with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), including the Namibia Football Association (NFA), making the continent an important voting bloc in FIFA elections.
Several names have been mentioned in speculation surrounding a possible challenge to Infantino, including former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, former Portugal international LuĂs Figo, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa and Michele Kang. However, their candidacies remain unconfirmed.
Under Infantino’s leadership, FIFA has significantly increased its financial support to national football associations, expanding the development funding introduced under his predecessor, Sepp Blatter, through the Goal Programme into the FIFA Forward Development Programme.
In 2025, Infantino highlighted that FIFA had invested more than US$1 billion, approximately N$16 billion, in African football since the Forward programme was introduced in 2016.
Despite the increased investment, questions remain about whether Africa’s influence in world football should extend beyond receiving development funding to occupying FIFA’s highest office.
Confidente caught up with football experts to hear their views on the absence of an African candidate in the race for the FIFA presidency.
Peter Haufiku, a renowned accredited FIFA football agent, believes it is time for Africa to seriously pursue the position but says the continent must first overcome its failure to unite behind a common candidate.
“It is disappointing, but not surprising. Africa has 54 FIFA member associations, enormous football talent and capable administrators. Yet we continue to struggle to translate that strength into global leadership. Africa does not lack leaders; we lack a united strategy to position them,” said Haufiku.
“Absolutely, it is time for Africa to seriously challenge for the presidency. However, we should not demand an African president simply because they are African. Competence must come before nationality. We need someone who understands governance, commercialisation and football development, particularly the challenges facing developing nations.”
Although Infantino has overseen developments that have benefited African football, Haufiku believes the FIFA presidency should not be treated as belonging permanently to any individual.
“FIFA elections are won through diplomacy, relationships and political influence, not numbers alone. Africa must learn to negotiate collectively. Infantino deserves credit for expanding the World Cup and increasing Africa’s representation. However, FIFA is bigger than any individual, and leadership should never become a permanent entitlement,” he said.
Shaun Gariseb, a passionate football supporter and follower of Black Africa SC, believes an African candidate would face an uphill battle because of internal divisions within CAF.
Gariseb argues that competition for the CAF presidency often takes precedence over the more difficult task of challenging for FIFA’s top position.
“Many strong African administrators prefer to fight to become CAF president, which is seen as more winnable, than to risk losing a FIFA race. CAF has often traded its collective vote for promises of more World Cup slots, more development money and an African World Cup, instead of fielding its own candidate,” he said.
Like Haufiku, Gariseb acknowledges Infantino’s contribution to African football but believes there are reasons to consider a change in leadership.
“Gianni Infantino has achievements that Africa likes: expanding the World Cup to 48 teams from 2026, giving Africa nine slots, increasing FIFA Forward money, pushing the African Football League idea and keeping FIFA financially very strong.
“But his current term has also raised governance concerns, including the attempt to privatise World Cup revenues, especially in the USA at the recent World Cup, and the concentration of power,” said Gariseb.
Meanwhile, Salmon Nakale, a coach in the FNB Women’s Super League with Arrow Ladies, believes Africa needs to take a stronger position in FIFA leadership, arguing that the continent has often felt sidelined in decisions affecting the global game.
“I believe it is because we Africans see no point in vying for a FIFA president as Africa is always treated unfairly and decisions are always made by non-Africans, hence they go in the interests of non-Africans, especially Westerners,” said Nakale.
“I believe it is high time an African takes over, definitely, because Africa is always taken second best, if not third best.”
For Africa, the challenge may therefore extend beyond having the numbers to influence a FIFA election. It will require unity among its member associations, a credible candidate and the political influence needed to turn its voting strength into global leadership.
Until that happens, the question of whether FIFA is ready for an African president will remain unanswered.
