The Infantino Decade: African Football’s ‘Greatest’ Leap Forward
It feels like only yesterday that Gianni Infantino was elected to lead a FIFA mired in crisis. But a decade after that pivotal 26th of February 2016 ascendancy, Infantino’s presidency is
It feels like only yesterday that Gianni Infantino was elected to lead a FIFA mired in crisis. But a decade after that pivotal 26th of February 2016 ascendancy, Infantino’s presidency is defined by a singular, aggressive theme: the democratization of global football. Nowhere is this shift more visible than in Africa, which has transitioned from a peripheral participant to a central pillar of FIFA’s strategic vision, reports Sports Editor, MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN…
At the outset of his presidency, Gianni Infantino’s objective was simple yet daunting: "To put football back at the centre stage of all that FIFA does." Over the last 10 years, the Swiss-Italian administrator has remarkably walked the talk.
A cornerstone of this era is the FIFA Forward program. Since 2016, it has channelled over USD 5 billion into football development across 211 member associations—a sevenfold increase compared to the pre-2016 period.
Africa has emerged as the primary beneficiary of this restructured wealth. In a decade, the continent’s 54 Member Associations—including the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)—have received over USD 1.2 billion. This influx has sparked an infrastructure boom that is fundamentally altering the continental landscape.
"Infantino has been good for Africa and Nigeria. When you look at the gains, it has been impactful," Mouktar Muhammed, Chairman of the FCT Football Association, told NationSport. "Over €1 billion in FIFA Forward funds has gone into various projects, particularly infrastructure.”
He also credited Infantino for other tangible achievements: “When you look at the World Cup Expansion, this has given more African teams the chance to participate in the Mundial. FIFA now has an African office in Morocco, this is a very strong sign to have presence on the continent to closer and monitor developments.
“In Nigeria particularly, his visit in Sept 2021 was a huge milestone in relationship building,” he added.
The "new" FIFA prides itself on being leaner and more transparent, allowing a greater proportion of revenue to reach the pitch. According to FIFA documentation, without this support, "tournament football would cease to exist in 150 member countries" due to a lack of resources.
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The results are visible in the dirt and the grass with 203 infrastructure projects completed across Africa; 74 technical centers and headquarters built or renovated; 99 artificial turf pitches installed and 59 stadium renovations concluded.
In Nigeria, this impact is hitting home. The NFF is currently utilizing FIFA Forward funds to construct a high-performance hostel and two pitches (one natural, one synthetic) at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. NFF President Alhaji Musa Ibrahim Gusau noted that the project is ahead of schedule.
“We are now just about eight months in, because we started works in March 2025 when the project was launched. The foundation was laid in March, so we still have about 16 months left,” Gusau explained on an inspection tour of the project site last November. “The duration time for completion is 24 months, and at the rate the contractors are going, the job will be delivered earlier before the expiration date.”
Emphasizing the crucial role of infrastructure in the development of football across the country, Gusau remains confident that once the FIFA-assisted project is completed, it will be a massive boost for football development across Nigeria: “Quite well, by the time we achieve this, a lot will be achieved when it comes to the developmental program of football.”
Governance and inclusivity
The Infantino era hasn’t just been about bricks and mortar; it has been about representation. For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Africa will see an unprecedented nine (potentially ten) teams compete.
Victor Adolfo Osorio, former President of the Cape Verde Football Association, views this as a matter of justice. "Infantino’s actions are linked to equality. CAF has nearly the same number of teams as Europe, but the imbalance was always unequal. He is closing that gap."
However, Osorio notes there is still work to be done regarding the "club vs. country" tug-of-war. "I believe Infantino needs more courage to review the release of African players from European clubs to ensure African nations can always compete with their best talent."
Rise of the women’s football
Perhaps the most dramatic shift has occurred in women’s football. By expanding the 2023 World Cup to 32 teams—and pledging 48 teams for 2031—FIFA has turned a niche interest into a global powerhouse. Investment has followed suit. The USD 152 million prize pool in 2023 was ten times higher than in 2015.
For African legends like the former Super Falcons captain, Desire Oparanozie this is a game-changer.
“The FIFA President is no doubt on the right path to grow and improve women’s football,” erstwhile Super Falcons captain and a veteran of four FIFA Women’s World Cups, said this week in an interview. “Thanks to his leadership, the increase in the number of teams participating in the FIFA Women’s World Cup is fundamental for the growth of women’s football at global level.
“ From 24 teams in 2019, to 32 in 2023, and 48 in 203 means more opportunity for both for this generation and the next generation to compete on the world stage, this excites me personally because it gives Africa more slot on the world stage.
“ Furthermore, it improves investments in infrastructure, new programs and technical support for women’s football, as well as provides competitiveness, media visibility and more interest from investors and consumers of women’s football,” she added.
Legacy of reforms
To understand where FIFA is now, one must remember where it was. The 2015 "FIFA-gate" scandal left the brand toxic. Today, the organization has regained the trust of the US Department of Justice and global sponsors alike.
From the FIFA Clearing House—which has distributed over USD 300 million to 7,000 grassroots clubs—to the Football for Schools initiative, the focus has shifted from high-level politics to social impact.
As Infantino enters the next phase of his leadership, the "African Experiment" stands as his most successful case study. By treating the continent not as a charity case, but as a strategic partner, he has ensured that the "greatest leap forward" is only just beginning.