Sports
Embattled FIFA boss Gianni Infantino attends WAFCON final as he continues to back African football
FIFA president Gianni Infantino attended the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat on Sunday as Cameroon secured their first continental title with a 3-0 victory over Malawi.
Infantino’s presence at the final comes at a difficult time for his leadership of world football, with growing opposition from some of FIFA’s confederations and senior officials.
The presidents of UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF recently issued an open letter expressing concerns over Infantino’s conduct and calling for an independent review of FIFA’s now-abandoned proposal to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights.
The confederations accused the FIFA president of damaging trust and called for stronger leadership and governance within the organisation.
Despite the growing pressure, Infantino continues to enjoy significant support in Africa and South America as he prepares for next year’s FIFA presidential election.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe has previously indicated that Infantino’s future should be decided through the election process rather than other means.
“If you want to remove him, go to the elections. Let the 211 member associations decide,” Motsepe told Sky.
Motsepe’s position could prove important given the influence of African football’s 54 member associations in FIFA elections.
Infantino’s attendance at the WAFCON final also comes as FIFA continues to strengthen its relationship with African football. The continent has become an important part of FIFA’s global development plans, while the expansion of major competitions has created greater opportunities for African national teams.
The FIFA president watched Cameroon produce a commanding performance against Malawi, with Marie Ngah scoring twice and Naomi Ndjoah Eto adding another goal to secure the title.
For Cameroon, the victory ended years of disappointment after previous final defeats in 2004, 2014 and 2016.
For Infantino, his appearance in Rabat provided another opportunity to maintain his connection with African football as the battle over FIFA’s leadership gathers momentum ahead of the 2027 election.
Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet
