FIFA President Gianni Infantino has revealed that more than USD 1 billion has been invested in African football development through the FIFA Forward Programme since its launch in 2016.
Speaking during the 47th CAF Ordinary General Assembly in Kinshasa, Infantino highlighted the programme’s transformative impact on infrastructure, competitions, and operational support across the continent.
“Football has the responsibility to give hope and dreams to the children of Africa,” Infantino told representatives from Africa’s 54 FIFA Member Associations (MAs).
Record Investment and Global Representation
According to Infantino, total FIFA Forward investments directed to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), zonal bodies, and national associations reached USD 1.06 billion between 2016 and September 2025. The figure is projected to climb to USD 1.28 billion by the end of the current cycle in 2026 — including USD 1.08 billion for the 54 African MAs alone.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe commended FIFA’s support and the opportunities created for African clubs and players on the global stage.
“It’s very important that we had the FIFA Club World Cup, Gianni, thank you for that,” Motsepe said. “Those four African clubs represented us well, and we are confident that in the next one, they will perform even better.”
Four African sides — Al Ahly FC, Espérance Sportive de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns FC, and Wydad AC — featured at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, facing elite competition from around the world.
Infantino noted that players from 19 African countries had participated in the tournament, including nine nations that have never appeared at a FIFA World Cup™ — among them Burkina Faso, Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, and Uganda.
“It was a huge success this summer with four African teams, but even more importantly, with African players represented in clubs across the globe,” Infantino said.
Expanding Opportunities for African Teams
FIFA’s commitment to African football extends beyond funding. The governing body has expanded competitive opportunities across multiple age categories:
Nine (and possibly ten) African teams will feature at the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Ten will play at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™.
Five will participate in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2025™, to be hosted in Morocco.
Infantino also reaffirmed FIFA’s plans to open 20 to 30 FIFA Academies by 2027 under the Talent Development Scheme (TDS) — a project aimed at identifying and nurturing young talent worldwide. Additionally, the Football for Schools initiative is now active in more than 40 African nations.
A Call for Unity and Hope
Paying tribute to African football legends including Samuel Eto’o, Emmanuel Adebayor, El Hadji Diouf, and Kalusha Bwalya, Infantino underscored the collective duty of football leaders to inspire the next generation.
“We may not all become legends like them,” he said, “but we all have the duty to work hard — to give dreams, chances, and hope to the children of Africa.”
Concluding his address, Infantino urged African football stakeholders to remain united in their mission.
“I ask you all to continue to unite Africa and African football. Together, we can ensure a strong voice and a very bright future for the continent.”
