**Eto’o Calls on African Football Federations to Support FIFA Chief Infantino**
Samuel Eto’o, the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, has made a strong appeal to African football leaders to rally behind FIFA President Gianni Infantino. In remarks published in the French sports newspaper L’Equipe, Eto’o highlighted Infantino's contributions to the development of football across the African continent, emphasizing the positive impact of his leadership on the growth of national federations and the increased opportunities for African nations to participate in the FIFA World Cup.
Eto’o stated, “President Gianni Infantino has changed football,” and credited him with accelerating the progress of African football associations. He urged his peers to recognize Infantino's achievements, asserting, “We should support him for everything he has achieved so far.” This call for unity among African football federations stands in stark contrast to the growing tensions between UEFA and FIFA, particularly as UEFA has adopted a more confrontational stance towards Infantino in recent times.
The former Cameroon international noted that Infantino’s leadership has opened doors for nations that previously had limited exposure to the World Cup. He pointed out that Africa secured nine direct spots in the upcoming expanded 48-team World Cup set to take place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, a significant increase from the five spots allocated during the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Eto’o's comments come as Infantino prepares to seek re-election at the FIFA Congress scheduled for March 18, 2027. The support from African federations could play a crucial role in his campaign, especially given the contrasting perspectives from different football confederations.
While UEFA has expressed opposition to FIFA's recent initiatives, including a controversial proposal to transfer commercial rights of World Cup events to a new subsidiary, Eto’o argued that African federations have different priorities and challenges compared to their wealthier European counterparts. He highlighted the financial struggles faced by many African football associations, stating, “When you see some federations with budgets of 150,000 euros, how can they compete against the big countries?”
Eto’o emphasized that the limited resources available to African football federations not only hinder their competitive capabilities but also contribute to the loss of potential talent to European clubs. He lamented that if Cameroon had access to a budget of $20 million or $40 million annually, the nation could have retained talents like Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni, both of whom have familial ties to Cameroon.
In his remarks, Eto’o acknowledged the significant role UEFA plays in the global football landscape, stating, “UEFA is an important confederation for FIFA. It contributes enormously to football, but it should not be considered the only or the most important confederation.” This perspective reflects the ongoing dialogue about the balance of power within international football governance and the need for inclusivity in decision-making processes.
As the football world continues to evolve, Eto’o's call for solidarity among African federations and support for Infantino underscores the distinct challenges and aspirations of football in Africa. His comments invite further discussion on how the global football community can work together to ensure equitable growth and development across all confederations.