History repeats itself.. Will 54 African countries commit to supporting Infantino or repeat 1998 and 2016 scenarios?
Africa could play a decisive role in the next FIFA presidential election, with its 54 national football associations accounting for 25.6% of the governing body's 211 eligible members.
The election, scheduled for 18 March 2027 in Rabat, Morocco will determine who leads world football for the following four years.
CAF has already declared unanimous support for incumbent president Gianni Infantino who is seeking re election despite growing opposition to his leadership in other parts of the football world.
But the real question is whether Africa's 54 votes can determine the outcome or whether their influence has been overstated.
The answer lies in the voting mathematics and a history of African federations making independent decisions.
54 votes out of 211.. How powerful is Africa?
Under FIFA's electoral system, each member association receives one vote, regardless of its country's population, footballing achievements or financial resources.
That gives Africa 54 votes, just one fewer than Europe's 55.
In a contest between two candidates, assuming all 211 associations cast valid votes, 106 votes would be required for victory.
If all 54 African associations supported the same candidate, that candidate would need only 52 additional votes from the other confederations to secure a majority.
Africa alone cannot elect a FIFA president but its support could become decisive when combined with backing from elsewhere.
The calculation changes in a contest involving more than two candidates when FIFA's rules require a two thirds majority in the first ballot.
There is, however, a crucial distinction, CAF does not cast 54 votes as a single organisation. Each national federation votes individually.
CAF backs Infantino.. But history tells a different story
On 29 April 2026, CAF officially announced unanimous support for Infantino's re election for the 2027 - 2031 period.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe reaffirmed that position during a strategy conference in Cape Verde on 8 October declaring the support of all 54 associations.
The backing followed months of controversy surrounding FIFA's abandoned Forward Enterprise investment proposal which attracted opposition from several other confederations.
Foot Africa previously reported that Argentina and Mexico had also expressed support for Infantino, demonstrating how alliances extend beyond continental boundaries.
Nevertheless, African football has a history of defying its own confederation's electoral preferences.
In 2016, CAF publicly supported Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa in the FIFA presidential election.
Yet several African associations backed Infantino, helping him defeat the Bahraini candidate in the second round.
A similar division occurred in 1998 when CAF's leadership supported Lennart Johansson against Sepp Blatter but numerous African federations voted for Blatter.
Could Africa become the decisive factor in 2027?
The next FIFA presidential election will take place against a backdrop of disagreements over governance, commercial strategy and the distribution of football's revenues.
Infantino has benefited from significant African support during his presidency, particularly following increased development funding through FIFA's Forward programme.
However, individual federations remain entitled to assess the candidates independently.
With the deadline for presidential nominations approaching on 18 November, the final shape of the contest has yet to be established.
The number of candidates, their international alliances and the decisions of individual associations will determine how much influence Africa ultimately exercises.
Africa's 54 votes are not enough to elect a FIFA president on their own. But in a closely contested election, they could provide the difference between victory and defeat.
Africa
Yesterday at 12:23
AFCON
Today at 11:00
Africa
Yesterday at 05:30
Africa
Yesterday at 01:59
Europe
06 November 2026
Africa
01 November 2026