FIFA President Gianni Infantino has pledged to increase support and resources for African football, saying the world football governing body is prepared to seek additional funding to help the continent’s game compete at the highest level.
Infantino made the commitment while speaking to the presidents of Africa’s 54 football associations at a football strategy conference in Cape Verde on Thursday.
The FIFA president pointed to the organisation’s financial support for African football since he took office in 2016, noting that the FIFA Forward programme has invested about $1 billion in football development across the continent over the past decade.
“With the FIFA Forward programme we have invested one billion dollars in 10 years in Africa, with 124 different projects and many other actions,” Infantino said.
He stressed that FIFA wants to continue creating opportunities for African football and called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to clearly communicate what it needs so that further assistance can be provided.
“Our commitment is to make sure that your football is going to continue to improve and grow, give you more opportunities,” he said.
Infantino also pointed to Africa’s strong representation at the last World Cup as evidence of the continent’s progress.
“Ten countries at the (last) World Cup has been a success for the entire continent,” he 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.”
FIFA Promises More Resources
Infantino further assured African football leaders that FIFA would continue searching for additional resources and increased investment to strengthen the game across the continent.
“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,” he said.
He also urged football officials to maintain open communication whenever concerns or disagreements emerge, saying FIFA remains willing to listen and make improvements.
“When you go through a journey, sometimes concerns are raised. When they are raised, we have to address them,” Infantino said.
“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.”
The pledge comes as Infantino faces increased scrutiny over his leadership following the collapse in July of a proposal to sell a stake in FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup.
The proposal encountered resistance from mainly European and North American football nations, with some later withdrawing their support for Infantino ahead of next year’s FIFA presidential election.
