African football leaders hail Infantino on 10th anniversary as FIFA boss
Infantino assumed office in February 2016 following the departure of Sepp Blatter and a brief interim period under the late Issa Hayatou.
African football leaders have paid tribute to Gianni Infantino as he marked 10 years at the helm of world football, praising his leadership and the impact of FIFA programmes across the continent.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) led the congratulations, with its president Patrice Motsepe commending Infantino’s contribution to the global game.
“African football and world football have a loyal and trustworthy friend and partner in Gianni Infantino. CAF wishes him good health and everything of the best,” said Dr. Motsepe.
In Nigeria, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau reaffirmed his country’s support for FIFA in a video message shared on the federation’s official X account.
‘Transforming football’
“My dear president Gianni Infantino, I want to use this opportunity on behalf of football stakeholders in Nigeria to congratulate you on your 10th anniversary in charge of global football,” Gusau said.
“These 10 years have brought a lot of transformation into the football sector globally. We are therefore proud to be part of you and we are reassuring you that we will continue to be part of you because we know your mission.”
In East Africa, Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) President Moses Magogo also hailed Infantino’s tenure, highlighting tangible benefits from FIFA development programmes.
“On the occasion of celebrating 10 years of President Gianni Infantino, who came and turned around the wheel, I take this opportunity to congratulate him, but most importantly to congratulate FIFA as beneficiaries of the different programmes,” Magogo said.
He noted that through the FIFA Forward programme, FUFA expanded FUFA House with an additional floor, secured more office space for staff and began construction of the FUFA Stadium Kadiba project.
‘Stronger FIFA’
Infantino, who assumed office in February 2016 following the departure of Sepp Blatter and a brief interim period under the late Issa Hayatou, marked the milestone on 25 February 2026.
To commemorate the anniversary, the FIFA president wrote to all 211 member associations thanking them for their support over the past decade.
“Over the past decade, we have transformed FIFA into a stronger, more transparent and credible organisation, placing football back at the heart of everything we do,” Infantino said.
Infantino acknowledged that he took charge during a period of crisis for the organisation, saying the FIFA Congress had chosen a new path “built on reform, transparency and development”.