SOCCER – The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has thrown its weight behind FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s bid for re-election in March 2027, joining all 54 African member associations in pledging their unconditional support for the Swiss-Italian football administrator.
The endorsement was announced following a presidents’ conference held in Cape Verde on Thursday, where African football leaders gathered for what was described as the first strategic symposium of its kind for African football.
EFA President Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane attended the gathering alongside Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Dr Patrice Motsepe and Infantino, with the meeting providing a platform for discussions on the future of the game on the continent. Simelane confirmed that the country was among the 54 African associations backing Infantino for another term at the helm of world football.
“All the 54 member associations, including Eswatini, are backing Infantino for another term,” he said.
Motsepe also declared the continent’s united position, attributing the support to Infantino’s contribution to African football during his tenure.
“There is a unanimous decision by the 54 member associations to unconditionally support Gianni as president of FIFA. This is because of the history and the support that Infantino has given to African football,” Motsepe was quoted as saying by TimesLIVE.
Infantino, who was first elected FIFA president in 2016, used the gathering to highlight the financial investment made in African football through the FIFA Forward Programme and other initiatives.
“As FIFA president, I am proud to have contributed with you a little bit of this revolution in African football in the last 10 years. With the FIFA Forward Programme, we have invested £1 billion in 10 years in Africa with 124 different projects and many other actions,” he said.
The FIFA president reiterated his commitment to supporting the continent, promising continued investment aimed at strengthening football development and improving opportunities for African nations.
“Our commitment is to make sure that your football will continue to improve and grow, give you more opportunities.
“We need to continue together on this path because it is up to you as CAF to tell us what you want. How can we make you stronger and better? We will continue to look for resources and increase funding that are necessary to boost the African game to the top of world football,” he was quoted as saying. The backing from Africa’s 54 member associations represents a significant show of support ahead of the March 2027 FIFA presidential election, with the continent accounting for more than a quarter of the world governing body’s 211 member associations.
For Eswatini, the endorsement places the EFA alongside the rest of the continent in supporting continuity at FIFA’s highest office, as discussions around African football development and funding remain central to the relationship between CAF and the world governing body.
| Key Indicator / Metric | Figure / Detail | Significance & Strategic Impact |
|---|---|---|
| African Electoral Voting Bloc | 54 Associations | Represents over 25% of the total 211 eligible FIFA Congress member votes. |
| FIFA Forward African Investment | £1 Billion | Disbursed over a 10-year span (2016–2026) across 124 separate developmental initiatives. |
| Next FIFA Elective Congress | March 2027 | Infantino running for another presidential term at the helm of global football governance. |
| Local Representation | Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane | Attended the Cape Verde symposium alongside CAF leadership, confirming Eswatini’s backing. |
Overview of CAF’s unanimous endorsement of Gianni Infantino ahead of the March 2027 FIFA elections.
