FIFA President, Gianni Infantino has reaffirmed the governing body’s commitment to the development of African football, highlighting the substantial increase in financial support.
Speaking at the 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly, Infantino restated the significant increase in the FIFA Forward solidarity programme, which provides funding to African football federations to aid development in key areas.
“We’ve been able to increase substantially the forward program, the solidarity contribution for all of you.”
Infantino revealed that FIFA’s annual financial support to African football associations has increased nearly tenfold, allowing for greater investment in various football development areas.
“We moved them from where they were some years ago at $250,000 a year to over $2 million a year. You, all of you, are investing in infrastructure, in development, in women’s football, in boys’ development.”
The FIFA president also emphasized the organization’s ongoing commitment to establishing football academies across Africa and improving refereeing standards to ensure that African officials can compete at the highest level globally.
“We are creating, together with you, academies all over the continent. We are developing and making sure that referees in Africa become better and better, top of the world.”
Increased African Participation at the FIFA World Cup
Infantino, further highlighted the historical increase in African representation at the FIFA World Cup, confirming that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature at least nine African teams, with the potential of an additional tenth team through the intercontinental playoffs.
“We are making sure that Africans can have a say, a bigger say on the world scene, not just at the FIFA Council or at the committee level, but also on the field.”
“That will live for the first time in history—nine or maybe even 10 African countries at the next FIFA World Cup in 2026. It is double the number of African representatives.”
The expanded participation at the World Cup aligns with FIFA’s broader efforts to enhance Africa’s presence on the global stage, providing more opportunities for African teams to showcase their talent at the highest level.
President Infantino looks forward to reinforce FIFA’s strong partnership with CAF in ensuring that African football continues to grow in stature, both in terms of financial backing and competitive presence on the world stage.
