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Samuel Eto’o, the President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), has publicly voiced his strong support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, urging African nations to stand behind the global football leader. In a detailed interview with the French sports daily L’Equipe, the legendary former striker highlighted Infantino’s pivotal role in accelerating the growth of football across the continent. Eto’o argued that under the current FIFA leadership, African football associations have seen unprecedented attention and structural development, making Infantino a vital ally for the region’s sporting future.
A cornerstone of Eto’o’s endorsement is the significant expansion of the FIFA World Cup, which will see Africa’s direct representation nearly double. Starting with the upcoming tournament in North America, African nations will be allocated nine direct qualifying spots, a substantial increase from the five slots available during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Eto'o credited Infantino with fulfilling promises to make the tournament more inclusive, thereby providing more African talent with a global stage and fostering greater competitive balance within international football.
The FECAFOOT president also addressed the stark financial realities that distinguish African federations from their European counterparts. Eto’o noted that many African nations operate with budgets that are a fraction of those seen in wealthier footballing regions, which often leads to a "talent loss" as young players migrate to Europe prematurely. By advocating for FIFA’s initiatives, Eto’o believes African nations can better address these disparities and secure the resources necessary to build sustainable local football infrastructures.
The endorsement comes at a time of visible friction between FIFA and UEFA, with European football authorities frequently challenging Infantino’s policy decisions. Eto’o’s stance underscores a growing divergence in priorities between the two continents, suggesting that while Europe may remain critical of current FIFA leadership, Africa views Infantino as a transformative figure. As Infantino prepares to seek re-election at the FIFA Congress in 2027, the backing of influential figures like Eto’o indicates that Africa will likely serve as a primary power base for his continued presidency.