FIFA saga takes a messy turn as CAF and AFA release new statements

After days of observation by CAF, Africa's football body, alongside AFA (Argentine Football Association have both released statements backing Infantino's FIFA leadership.

The political battle engulfing FIFA has taken another dramatic twist after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) publicly threw their weight behind FIFA president Gianni Infantino, just hours after UEFA intensified calls for him to resign.

The contrasting statements have further exposed the growing divide within world football, with Europe's governing body leading opposition to Infantino while Africa and one of football's biggest powerhouses, Argentina, have rallied behind the embattled FIFA chief.

What did Infantino do?

The crisis erupted following FIFA's controversial proposal to sell a minority stake in the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup through a newly created entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise. The proposal was eventually withdrawn after fierce backlash from several football associations and confederations, but the fallout has continued to deepen, with questions now shifting from the deal itself to Infantino's future.

Who is CAF supporting in the FIFA case?

In a statement released after its Executive Committee meeting, CAF unanimously backed FIFA's leadership, saying it had received an update from Infantino and FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström regarding the commercial rights proposal and fully endorsed the direction taken by world football's governing body.

"The Executive Committee unanimously endorsed the FIFA communication and the update provided by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström," CAF said.

The African governing body also welcomed FIFA's decision to withdraw the proposal following consultations with member associations, describing the move as evidence of the organisation's commitment to listening to its members and protecting the interests of global football.

CAF's backing is significant given the confederation represents 54 of FIFA's 211 member associations, making it one of the largest voting blocs in world football.

Which other football association supports Infantino?

Argentina soon followed with an equally strong show of support.

In a letter signed by AFA president Claudio Tapia, the world champions praised Infantino's leadership and argued that while the commercial proposal had generated uncertainty, FIFA deserved credit for admitting its mistake and reversing course.

The AFA said the willingness to withdraw the proposal, acknowledge concerns raised by member associations and apologise demonstrated responsible leadership rather than a reason for the FIFA president to step aside.

The statement marked one of the strongest endorsements Infantino has received since the controversy began.

However, support from Africa and Argentina stands in sharp contrast to the position taken by UEFA.

What is UEFA saying about Infantino?

European football's governing body has become the leading voice calling for change at FIFA, with its Executive Committee declaring that Infantino no longer enjoys the confidence required to lead the organisation through the current crisis.

UEFA urged the FIFA president to resign, arguing that the commercial rights proposal represented a serious failure in governance and had damaged trust between FIFA and its member associations.

The pressure has continued to mount in recent days, with several European football associations, including Wales, Sweden, Finland, Serbia and others, also withdrawing their support for Infantino ahead of the 2027 FIFA presidential election. Former FIFA adviser Carlos Cordeiro has also resigned, citing concerns over the proposal and calling for greater accountability within world football.

The latest statements from CAF and the AFA now highlight an increasingly fractured football landscape.

While Europe appears united in demanding new leadership at FIFA, influential federations in Africa and South America have instead chosen to stand behind Infantino, setting the stage for what could become one of the most politically charged battles in FIFA's modern history.

With the organisation's credibility under intense scrutiny and alliances forming across continents, the debate has evolved beyond a failed commercial proposal into a global power struggle over who will shape the future of football. Whether CAF's influential voting bloc and support from countries like Argentina can offset mounting opposition from Europe could ultimately determine whether Infantino survives the biggest crisis of his presidency.

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