South Africa Backs Patrice Motsepe as Next FIFA President

South Africa’s sports minister has endorsed Patrice Motsepe, the billionaire president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), as the natural successor to Gianni Infantino at FIFA.

Infantino is expected to secure a third term running until 2031. South Africa is content to wait, with Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie asserting that Motsepe will command near-universal support once the Swiss administrator steps down.

Since taking charge of CAF in 2021, the 64-year-old mining magnate has professionalized the continental body and overseen a robust showing by African teams at the recently expanded World Cup. Backers argue his estimated US$3 billion fortune and ownership of Mamelodi Sundowns provide the financial muscle and administrative acumen required for football’s highest office.

Yet Motsepe’s path to Zurich faces a domestic hurdle. With South African national elections due in 2029, he may eventually be forced to choose between his country’s presidency and the FIFA leadership. For now, Motsepe remains publicly silent, leaving his allies to lay the groundwork for a future campaign.