Motsepe is ending his third term as CAF chief, saying he is not interested in Infantino’s job
July 24 – In a tumultuous and frequently interrupted press conference, CAF president Patrice Motsepe said he will only serve two terms as CAF president and is not interested in being FIFA president.
Motsepe was first elected in 2021 and re-elected in 2025. His current term will end in 2029.
“I love FIFA. It’s big. It’s a big contribution to FIFA. But I don’t have the desire or desire to be FIFA president. It doesn’t make me happy,” said Motsepe, dismissing rumors (although not yet confirmed) that he might run for the top job against top-ranked Gianni Infantino.
“It will not happen and we decided to support him, and I personally support Infantino. He is not just a good friend, he is a loyal friend. He is loyal to Africa,” said Motsepe. “And again, I come from another background where people are loyal to you, you never backstab them, you don’t do that.”
Although Motsepe has stuck to his statement that Africa supports the intervention of Infantino and FIFA in the running of continental football, there are growing signs that his and Infantino’s support has begun to erode on the continent, as about 20 confederations privately say they will accept a challenge from both leaders.
Perhaps speaking casually of FIFA’s strong hold on African football – its tournament calendar, commercial proposition and national alliances – Motsepe continued: “And like I said, helping Africa FIFA doesn’t need me.
Dismissing allegations that he will run for a third term as CAF president in 2029, he said: “There are certain things that you should not be persuaded about and no one will persuade me to serve more than two terms in CAF.”
In a formal statement to the media, Motsepe praised the way African countries played this summer in the World Cup, saying that it shows great progress in finally winning it. “We hope that the African country will be the champions of the FIFA World Cup.” “There is great progress and success achieved by African national teams in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and I am proud of the way they played.
“The previous percentage of African National Teams that entered the Knockout Stage was; 40% in 2022, none in 2018 and 40% in 2014.”
Motsepe said that CAF has “identified certain areas where improvements should be made and I hope that the coaches, technical teams and players will make the necessary improvements… an even greater success in FIFA World Cup 2030.”
He also emphasized that CAF invests in the development of players and will continue to do so. “We will continue to train and invest in our boys and girls soccer players, youth soccer, Professional Soccer Team and our National Teams in 54 African countries to make African soccer globally competitive,” he continued.
“CAF is increasing funding for the training of coaches at all levels and will conduct many training courses in 6 CAF regions on the African continent. CAF is also focusing on increasing the quality and competitiveness of the CAF African Schools Football Championship as this is an important platform and an important step for the development and growth of African Youth Football.”
He also emphasized the need for government and private sector support in Africa to build and develop institutions.
“Every National Team and Football Club must play their matches in their own country and in front of their local fans and supporters. It is important that in our 54 Member States of the Federation there is a stadium of the standard required by CAF and FIFA.”
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