FIFA President Gianni Infantino has promised increased resources and continued support for African football, saying the governing body will look for additional funding to help the continent’s game reach the top of world football.
According to Reuters, Infantino made the pledge while addressing presidents of Africa’s 54 football associations at a football strategy conference in Cape Verde on Thursday.
Infantino highlighted FIFA’s financial contribution to African football since he became president in 2016, saying the FIFA Forward programme had invested $1 billion in the continent over the past decade.
“With the FIFA Forward programme we have invested one billion dollars in 10 years in Africa, with 124 different projects and many other actions,” Infantino said.
He said FIFA remained committed to creating more opportunities for African football and urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to communicate its needs so the governing body could provide further support.
“Our commitment is to make sure that your football is going to continue to improve and grow, give you more opportunities,” he said.
“Ten countries at the (last) World Cup has been a success for the entire continent.
“We need to continue together on this path, because it is up to you as CAF to tell us what you want. How we can make you stronger and better.”
Infantino also pledged to seek additional resources and increased funding for the continent.
“We will continue to look for the resources and the increases (in funding) that are necessary to boost the African game to the top of world football,” he said.
The FIFA president also called for open dialogue when concerns arise, saying the governing body was willing to address disagreements and improve its approach.
“When you go through a journey, sometimes concerns are raised. When they are raised, we have to address them,” Infantino said.
“As far as we are concerned at FIFA, we address them always with the spirit of dialogue and with open arms, an open heart and an open mind. We can always be better and do better.”
The conference comes amid scrutiny of Infantino’s leadership following the July collapse of his proposal to sell a stake in FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup.
The plan faced opposition from mainly European and North American football nations, with some subsequently withdrawing their support for Infantino ahead of next year’s FIFA presidential election.
