South Africa has thrown its support behind billionaire businessman and Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe as a future candidate to lead world football’s governing body, FIFA.
The endorsement comes from South Africa’s Minister of Sport, who recently expressed support for Motsepe eventually succeeding current FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The backing has reignited discussions around whether Africa could produce its first FIFA president.
According to Billionaires Africa the minister believes Motsepe’s leadership at CAF has demonstrated the governance and commercial expertise needed to lead global football.
Motsepe, founder and chairman of African Rainbow Minerals, became the seventh president of CAF in 2021 and was re-elected unopposed in 2025. During his tenure, CAF has focused on improving its financial position, increasing prize money for continental competitions and strengthening governance across African football.
However, despite the political backing from South Africa, there is currently no indication that Motsepe has announced an intention to run for FIFA president.
In fact, the current FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, has already launched his campaign for another four-year term ahead of the FIFA Congress scheduled for 2027. Reports indicate that he has secured the backing of more than 200 of FIFA’s 211 member associations, making him the overwhelming favourite should no significant challenger emerge.
Motsepe himself has also publicly praised Infantino’s leadership. Speaking this week, the CAF president described Infantino as a committed supporter of African football and credited him with helping expand opportunities for the continent within FIFA.
Should Motsepe eventually decide to contest the FIFA presidency after Infantino’s tenure comes to an end, he would become the first African to lead the organisation since FIFA was founded in 1904.
For now, though, the speculation remains just that. While South Africa has made its preference clear, there is no official FIFA succession process involving Motsepe, nor has the CAF president declared any presidential ambitions.
As global football politics continue to evolve, Motsepe’s name is likely to remain part of conversations about the future leadership of the world’s biggest sporting organisation—but any move towards the FIFA presidency remains a prospect for the future rather than an imminent reality.
