African Football Leaders Plot Possible Challenge to Infantino

Senior figures in African football have reportedly approached FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström to find out whether he could be interested in challenging Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency next year.

The discussions come as growing frustration within African football appears to be putting pressure on Infantino's position. As many as 15 African football associations are believed to be considering whether to withdraw their support for Infantino, despite the Confederation of African Football (CAF) saying its executive committee had unanimously backed his re-election.

Grafström, a 45-year-old Swede, attracted attention after initially distancing himself from Infantino's controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal. The plan involved selling part of the commercial rights linked to the World Cup, but it was later abandoned.

In a staff memo shortly after the proposal collapsed, Grafström appeared to suggest that difficult periods and individual figures could come and go. However, just a day later, he signed a letter expressing full support for Infantino. FIFA subsequently announced that chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, who had strongly criticised the FFE plan, had been dismissed.

Grafström's initial reaction nevertheless appears to have encouraged some of Infantino's opponents in Africa. Two African football federation presidents reportedly contacted him separately last week to discuss the possibility of a challenge. Sources say Grafström was surprised by the approaches and did not commit himself to running.

Grafström has served as FIFA's permanent secretary general since May 2024, after previously holding the position on an interim basis. He has also developed working relationships with CAF and several African football associations.

While CAF has traditionally been an important source of support for Infantino, dissatisfaction has reportedly increased in parts of Africa following the decision to hold the Africa Cup of Nations every four years instead of every two years. Some officials believe the change was heavily influenced by FIFA.

According to sources, only four of CAF's 21 executive committee members openly expressed support for Infantino during their latest meeting on 7 August. CAF president Patrice Motsepe and Morocco's Fouzi Lekjaa were among those supporting him, while most of the others reportedly remained silent.

Africa could play a decisive role in the FIFA presidential election. The continent has 54 FIFA member associations, while 106 votes are needed to defeat an incumbent in an election involving all 211 members.

Another potential challenger could be Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, president of the Asian Football Confederation. He previously lost to Infantino in the 2016 FIFA presidential election and is still believed to have supporters in Africa.

One African football official suggested that Salman could attract votes from several regions if he formally enters the race, particularly if he receives backing from Europe, Asia and Concacaf.

However, potential challengers face another important test: convincing African football associations that they can offer better financial and development opportunities than Infantino.

The FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal had been expected to provide around $20 million annually to each national association. African officials are reportedly looking for any rival candidate to present a credible alternative that would help poorer football nations improve infrastructure and develop the sport.

For now, Grafström has not indicated that he intends to challenge Infantino. But the fact that African football leaders are already sounding him out suggests that the next FIFA presidential election could become far more competitive than expected.