Motsepe says Infantino’s future will be decided by the vote

Friday 14 August 2026 - 08:35

By: Azzat Manal

Motsepe says Infantino’s future will be decided by the vote

Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and a FIFA vice president, has stressed that Gianni Infantino’s future as president of world football’s governing body should be determined through the organization’s electoral process.

Infantino has faced growing criticism following disagreements with several major football confederations. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF have reportedly accused him of misleading them after he abandoned plans to sell stakes in the men’s World Cup to private investors.

According to the information provided, the three confederations would prefer Infantino to step aside voluntarily and leave his position without seeking another term in the election scheduled for March next year.

Motsepe, however, has argued that any attempt to remove Infantino should follow FIFA’s established procedures rather than take place through political pressure. He said that if members have concerns about the FIFA president, they should use the organization’s formal mechanisms and allow its member associations to make the final decision.

The CAF president emphasized that FIFA has 211 member associations and that their votes should determine whether Infantino retains the confidence of the international football community.

Motsepe also called for caution and respect for the electoral process, noting that an election is already scheduled for next year. In his view, allowing the process to take place would provide a clear and legitimate way for FIFA members to express their position on Infantino’s leadership.

The dispute highlights the political tensions surrounding FIFA leadership and the different positions of the continental confederations. With the next presidential election approaching, the vote could become an important test of Infantino’s support among FIFA’s global membership.