A phone call between Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Gianni Infantino, made public by TV5MONDE via Omerta Média, raises the question of unanimous African support for the FIFA president, five months before the election on 18 March 2027.
The phone call was made public on 26 October by TV5MONDE, via Omerta Média. The parties on the line are Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA. The Congolese head of state assures his counterpart of his support, five months before a FIFA presidential election set for 18 March 2027 in Rabat, Morocco, where Infantino is seeking a fourth term.
The exchange took place on the sidelines of the CAF strategic conference, held from 7 to 9 October in Sal, Cape Verde, according to the same source. It comes after Patrice Motsepe, CAF president, reaffirmed on 8 October that the 54 African associations had unanimously adopted a resolution in favour of Infantino’s re-election, a position announced as early as April 2026. But that unanimity is contested by Claude Le Roy, head coach of the Republic of the Congo.
Support shown and publicised
In the conversation revealed by TV5MONDE via Omerta Média, Félix Tshisekedi says: “They want to make you pay for having brought in many African countries.” He adds: “We are with you wholeheartedly.” The remarks come as Gianni Infantino highlights the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams in 2026 and more than a billion dollars invested in Africa over ten years by FIFA, according to Omerta Média.
Infantino’s reply is immediate: “Thank you, my brother […] we are a family.”
African unanimity in question
On 8 October, Patrice Motsepe reaffirmed that the 54 African associations had unanimously adopted a resolution in favour of Gianni Infantino’s re-election, a position announced as early as April 2026, according to Omerta Média.
But Claude Le Roy disputes that picture. According to him, several African leaders do not share the support shown for Infantino.
A record and a reform put forward
Infantino highlights his African record, with the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams in 2026 and more than a billion dollars invested on the continent over ten years, according to Omerta Média.
In August 2026, Infantino also proposed creating an external company, FIFA Forward Enterprise, to manage commercial activities and tournaments with private investors.