Musa Bility questions CAF backing of Infantino ahead of FIFA election

Posted : 12 August 2026

Former Liberia Football Association president Musa Hassan Bility has questioned the Confederation of African Football’s backing of FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Bility argued that African football leaders should have greater independence when making decisions that affect the continent.

His comments came after CAF member associations unanimously backed Infantino for another FIFA presidential term in 2027. The decision was made at a meeting in Vancouver in April and covers the 2027-2031 period.

Bility was involved in African football politics when Infantino first won the FIFA presidency in 2016. He said supporters of the Swiss-Italian administrator believed his election would bring reforms and give football associations greater influence over the global game.

The former Liberian football chief now believes that those expectations were not fulfilled. He criticised what he described as growing FIFA influence over CAF affairs and questioned whether African football has retained enough independence.

Bility specifically recalled the period in 2019 when CAF invited FIFA to assist with its reform process. FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura was subsequently appointed FIFA General Delegate for Africa for six months, with responsibilities that included overseeing CAF's operational management and governance procedures.

He said he opposed the arrangement because he believed African football should control its own administration. Bility recalled confronting Infantino over the issue and said the decision was not what supporters of the 2016 FIFA election had expected.

His criticism comes as Infantino faces growing opposition from several football confederations. UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation have recently pushed for changes at FIFA, while Infantino continues to retain strong support from CAF and other regions.

Bility also questioned whether CAF's endorsement represents the views of all 54 African member associations. He argued that a decision of such importance should involve wider consultation rather than being determined through an executive-level declaration.

CAF's position is backed by its long-running partnership with FIFA under Infantino. FIFA says its Forward programme had invested $1.06 billion in CAF, regional bodies and African member associations between 2016 and September 2025, with the figure projected to reach $1.28 billion by the end of 2026.

The financial relationship has become an important part of the debate surrounding Infantino's influence in Africa. CAF has repeatedly praised FIFA's support for continental development, while Infantino has highlighted increased African representation at World Cups and investment in football infrastructure and programmes.

Bility, however, maintains that financial support should not come at the expense of institutional independence. He called on African football officials to make collective decisions and protect the interests of the continent's member associations.

The dispute adds another African voice to the wider debate over Infantino's leadership. With the 2027 FIFA presidential election approaching, CAF's continued support could prove important because its 54 member associations represent more than a quarter of FIFA's 211 voting members.

Musa Bility questions CAF backing of Infantino ahead of FIFA election

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