FIFA President Gianni Infantino reiterates commitment to African Football.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has promised to give African football support it “deserves” as he highlighted the “unequalled” potential of African football, IMC & Pan-African Super League on agenda at CAF Extraordinary General Assembly.

Speaking during the 13th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo, FIFA President Gianni Infantino assured delegates that FIFA will continue to support the continent as a priority and highlighted the crucial role African football will play in the future of the game.

Project African football to the top of the world

Last year, FIFA President Gianni Infantino promised to “project African football to the top of the world” and laid out plans for FIFA and CAF to raise a minimum fund of USD1bn to make solid and sustainable infrastructural investments in Africa.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino; Photo Credit – Sky sports

Speaking in Cairo on Friday, the FIFA President emphasized the importance of these investments.

He said that the football body is more committed than ever to making sure that it obtains 1 billion U.S. dollars required for the investment in infrastructure in African football.

“This is really the year of collaboration, of partnership, of unity between us. We have committed to that; we have committed to invest in infrastructure in Africa.” The FIFA President said.

Alongside such investments in infrastructure, FIFA understands the importance of more competitive, regular football for the development of football on the pitch in Africa.

Two topics up for discussion at the CAF Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo were the consultation on the International Match Calendar (IMC) and a proposed Pan-African Super League.

Arsène Wenger, Chief of Global Football Development; Photo Credit – The Guardian Nigeria

Wenger wants to see African teams playing.

Arsène Wenger, Chief of Global Football Development, was also in attendance to discuss the IMC and the possibility of a biennial FIFA World Cup. Wenger wants to see African teams playing at a higher level, more often.

He called on African nations to work towards playing at the top-level competitions saying that it was possible if the work is put in and well infrastructure that supports football in Africa.

“I defend this project because it is to make football better and more competitive,” Wenger said

The FIFA President spoke about the particular importance of consultation with African stakeholders due to the youthful make-up of the continent.

Infantino said that with 40% of the African population below that 15 years of age, football deserves protection to remain relevant as the youthful population loves it, adding that Africa as a continent needs to think about how it can make the sport more exciting to the young generation who have many things to focus on.

African teams have many times failed to impress at International competitions such as the World Cup, a thing that has been associated with poor infrastructure and lack of support from the relevant governments.

The FIFA President spoke about the particular importance of consultation with African stakeholders due to the youthful make-up of the continent.