{
  "id": 12890833,
  "title": "Infantino promises further Fifa support for African football",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/infantino-promises-further-fifa-support-for-african-football-12890833",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-08T14:02:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/10/08/infantino-promises-further-fifa-support-for-african-football"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Fifa President Gianni Infantino assured African football confederation leaders of continued financial support during a speech at a conference in Cape Verde. This marks a rare public address since his failed attempt to sell a stake in Fifa tournaments last July, which sparked backlash from mostly European and North American nations. All 54 presidents of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) were expected to attend the strategy symposium, providing Infantino with an opportunity to address more than a quarter of the voters ahead of next year's Fifa elections.\n\nInfantino reminded CAF presidents of the financial contributions Fifa has made to African football since his election in 2016, highlighting his pride in the progress made over the past decade. As Fifa President, he stated, he is \"proud to have contributed with you a little bit in this revolution (in African football) in the last 10 years.\" He further elaborated on Fifa's Forward programme, revealing that the organization has invested a total of one billion dollars in 10 years in Africa, with 124 different projects and numerous other actions.\n\nIn response to the concerns raised during his tenure, Infantino emphasized the importance of open dialogue and cooperation between Fifa and African football. He reiterated his commitment to partnering with CAF to strengthen and elevate African football, promising continued investment and increased funding to support the growth and development of the continent's football scene.",
  "summary": "Without referring directly to the failed bid to sell a stake in Fifa tournaments, Fifa president Gianni Infantino spoke of his desire for an open dialogue on matters of disagreement.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Infantino promises further FIFA support for African football",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/infantino-promises-further-fifa-support-for-african-football",
        "published": "2026-10-08T13:27:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Infantino promises further Fifa support for African football",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/infantino-promises-further-fifa-support-for-african-football-12890903",
        "published": "2026-10-08T14:02:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Infantino promises further FIFA support for African football",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/infantino-promises-further-fifa-support-for-african-football-12886544",
        "published": "2026-10-08T14:14:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ripples Nigeria",
        "title": "Amid scrutiny FIFA boss, Infantino, promises more funding for Africa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/amid-scrutiny-fifa-boss-infantino-promises-more-funding-for-africa",
        "published": "2026-10-08T15:39:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Gianni Infantino faces a significant new challenge within FIFA",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/gianni-infantino-faces-a-significant-new-challenge-within-fifa",
        "published": "2026-10-08T16:15:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "UEFA details FIFA presidential candidate criteria in bid to oust Infantino",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/uefa-details-fifa-presidential-candidate-criteria-in-bid-to-oust",
        "published": "2026-10-08T16:53:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}