{
  "id": 12890903,
  "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",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-08T14:02:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "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 additional support for African football as he spoke to Confederation of African Football (CAF) presidents at a conference in Cape Verde. This marked a rare public address from Infantino since his failed bid to sell a stake in Fifa tournaments in July. The CAF comprises 54 associations across Africa.\n\nDuring the conference, Infantino highlighted Fifa's financial contributions to African football since his election in 2016. He explained that as Fifa president, he has invested a total of one billion dollars in 10 years through the Fifa Forward programme, which funds 124 diverse projects and various actions. Infantino reiterated his commitment to fostering an open dialogue on matters of disagreement, emphasizing that Fifa will always approach concerns with a spirit of dialogue, openness, and a willingness to improve.\n\nStressing Fifa's dedication to African football's growth, Infantino reiterated his support for the continent, promising continued investments to boost the game's development and create more opportunities. He noted that ten countries at the last World Cup achieved success for Africa, and he called upon CAF to guide Fifa on how to make the sport stronger and better in the region.",
  "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-12890833",
        "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."
}