The Confederation of African Football has endorsed FIFA’s admission of mistakes in the handling of its proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise, while reaffirming its commitment to transparency, good governance and due process.
The resolution was reached at a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee, which also unanimously reaffirmed its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
FIFA had announced the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise on July 28, 2026, as a commercial subsidiary that would manage its commercial and event operations, including the World Cup, while seeking to raise $4.2 billion through the sale of minority stakes to private investors.
The proposal generated controversy after concerns were raised that FIFA’s Council and its 211 member associations were not adequately consulted before the plan was unveiled.
Following the criticism, FIFA President Infantino and Secretary General Mattias Grafström apologised on August 6, acknowledging that mistakes had been made in the process.
FIFA subsequently withdrew the proposal and announced a review, while maintaining that the process had complied with its regulatory framework.
CAF, in a statement issued on Thursday, said it had endorsed the joint update issued by Infantino and Grafström.
The African football governing body welcomed FIFA’s acknowledgement that the proposal should have involved greater consultation with the FIFA Council and member associations.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the organisation remained committed to governance, transparency and auditing best practices.
“CAF welcomes and endorses the ‘Joint Update’ by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary General Mattias Grafström. CAF will continue to focus on making African Football amongst the best in the world and is reaffirming its commitment to adhering to global governance, transparency and auditing best practices,” Motsepe said.
He described governance, due process and transparency as “crucial and non-negotiable,” stressing that CAF would continue working with FIFA, its member associations, other confederations and stakeholders to uphold global best practices.
Motsepe also said CAF would remain focused on developing football across Africa, including players, coaches, national teams and professional and amateur leagues.
He disclosed that progress was being made in securing sponsors, partners and investors to strengthen CAF’s financial independence and support the development and upgrading of football infrastructure on the continent.
The CAF Executive Committee also unanimously reaffirmed its support for Infantino and commended him for his continued backing of African football.
The committee further thanked Infantino, Grafström and the FIFA administration for what it described as a successful 2026 FIFA World Cup.
CAF also praised the ongoing 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, describing the quality of football as very high and the tournament as a major success.
