Africa, Gianni Infantino’s stronghold built on allies and largesse | OneFootball

The decision on Tuesday to award Morocco the Africa Cup of Nations title off the pitch at Senegal’s expense, despite their 1-0 extra-time win in the CAN 2025 final, sent shockwaves across Africa. According to L'Équipe, many saw the reversal as the work of Fouzi Lekjaa and FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Infantino presented the Golden Boot to Brahim Diaz after that final.

Since 2016, echoing Sepp Blatter, the Italian-Swiss has courted African football to build allies and curb Europe’s clout. His Forward programme, launched after his election, is set to deliver up to 8 million dollars, around 7 million euros, per association in 2023-2026, a 30% rise.

He moved trusted figures into CAF. Patrice Motsepe became president in 2021 and earned a second four-year term in March 2025. Secretary general Véron Mosengo-Omba, Swiss-Congolese, worked under Infantino at UEFA, then at FIFA, before being installed at CAF, and now acts as a conduit.

Infantino is close to Fouzi Lekjaa, Morocco’s federation chief, CAF first vice-president and a FIFA Council member. Their rapport helped add Morocco to the Spain Portugal ticket for the 2030 World Cup.

In November 2021 Lekjaa backed a biennial World Cup, arguing only eight nations had won it and roughly 20 to 25% of FIFA’s 211 members had even qualified, and that universality, fairness and development were lacking. UEFA rejected the plan.

The project failed for Infantino, yet he had loyal backing and is unlikely to forget it. His reputation in Africa remains far stronger than elsewhere.

Source: L'Équipe