Samuel Eto'o Urges African Football Federations to Back FIFA President Gianni Infantino

Cameroon Football Federation president Samuel Eto’o has called upon African football leaders to rally behind Gianni Infantino, praising the FIFA president for accelerating the growth of African associations and expanding World Cup representation.

In an interview with the French sports newspaper L’Equipe, Eto’o emphasized that the FIFA president has transformed the sport and significantly aided the continent's federations. These remarks stand in sharp contrast to UEFA's growing friction with the FIFA leader, highlighting a clear divide between African and European football priorities.

Eto’o pointed out that the expanded 48-team World Cup—featuring nine direct places for Africa in upcoming tournaments compared to five in Qatar—has given unprecedented opportunities to nations that previously missed out. Meanwhile, Gianni Infantino prepares to seek re-election at the FIFA Congress on March 18, 2027.

The discussion comes amid broader tensions involving UEFA, which opposed FIFA's handling of commercial rights and its proposed subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). Although the project was withdrawn, European officials have pursued inquiries and potential legal challenges, while advocating for resource distribution through the traditional FIFA Forward programme.

Addressing the disparity in resources, Eto’o noted that African federations operate on vastly smaller budgets than wealthier nations and frequently rely on government backing. He argued that this financial gap leads to talent drain, noting that adequate funding in Cameroon might have kept players with local ties, such as Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni, within the national setup.

Concluding his remarks, Eto’o acknowledged the importance of UEFA to FIFA but stressed that it should not be viewed as the sole or superior confederation.