FIFA President Gianni Infantino has promised increased resources and continued support for African football, saying the governing body will seek additional funding to help the continent’s game reach the top of world football.
Speaking at the CAF Strategy Conference in Sal, Cape Verde, on the 8th of October, 2026, Infantino told presidents of Africa’s 54 football associations that FIFA had invested $1 billion in the continent over the past decade through its FIFA Forward programme. He said the funding had supported 124 different projects, including the development of national football headquarters, training centres and academies across Africa.
Infantino highlighted that $500 million of the $1 billion total had been invested in the last four years alone, underscoring FIFA’s growing financial commitment to African football. He said the investment had helped build infrastructure and create opportunities for young players, but stressed that more would be needed to ensure African nations can compete at the highest level. “We will continue to look for the resources and the increases (in funding) that are necessary to boost the African game to the top of world football,” Infantino said, reiterating his long-standing pledge to “project African football to the top of the world.”
The FIFA president urged CAF and its member associations to clearly communicate their needs so that FIFA could provide further support. He invited African federations to specify where additional investment would have the greatest impact, saying the aim was to strengthen African football and improve its competitiveness internationally.
While Infantino did not announce a specific new funding figure, his message was clear: FIFA remains committed to increasing its financial support for Africa, provided there is a clear roadmap for how the resources will be used.
Infantino’s pledge comes as African football leaders rally behind him ahead of his bid for a fourth term as FIFA president in 2027. African countries helped Infantino win his first election in 2016 on the back of his promises to more than double development money dispensed to FIFA’s member associations.
Leading African football administrators have sent messages of support to the FIFA chief, even as he faces scrutiny over a now-shelved plan to sell a stake in FIFA tournaments. In return, Infantino has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the continent and ensuring that African football benefits from FIFA’s growing revenues.
For African football, Infantino’s promise of more resources is a welcome signal, particularly as the continent looks to build on its historic showing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The additional funding could help address long-standing gaps in infrastructure, coaching, youth development and administration across the 54 member associations.
The challenge now will be to translate these commitments into concrete projects and measurable outcomes. If FIFA and CAF can work together to identify priority areas and deploy resources effectively, the next decade could see African football make significant strides towards competing at the highest level.
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