Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe
South Africa has thrown its weight behind billionaire businessman and Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe as a future leader of FIFA, a move that signals Africa’s growing ambition to shape the governance of world football.
If elected after Gianni Infantino’s tenure ends, Motsepe would become the first African to lead FIFA in the organization’s 122-year history.
The endorsement came from South Africa’s minister of sport, arts, and culture, Gayton McKenzie, who described Motsepe as the continent’s preferred candidate to succeed Infantino once the FIFA president completes an expected new term that would keep him in office until 2031.
“I don’t know if there’s anybody that will disagree with his name. As soon as the term is finished, we will all root for Patrice Motsepe to take over FIFA,” McKenzie told City AM.
Motsepe has not publicly declared any intention to contest the FIFA presidency.
Why the endorsement matters
Although any FIFA leadership contest remains years away, McKenzie’s remarks offer one of the clearest public indications yet that influential figures within African football are already positioning Motsepe as the continent’s preferred candidate.
Africa wields considerable influence in FIFA politics. CAF represents 54 of FIFA’s 211 member associations, making it one of the governing body’s largest voting blocs.
Because every member association has one vote in FIFA presidential elections, support from Africa can play a decisive role in determining the organisation’s leadership.
A businessman turned football leader
Motsepe, 64, is best known for building African Rainbow Minerals into one of South Africa’s largest mining companies, becoming the country’s first Black billionaire.
Forbes estimates his fortune at about $4.3 billion, placing him among Africa’s wealthiest individuals.
His business interests extend beyond mining into financial services through African Rainbow Capital, while he also owns South African football powerhouse Mamelodi Sundowns, one of the continent’s most successful clubs.
He became CAF president in 2021 and has since overseen reforms aimed at improving the organization’s finances, governance and commercial appeal following years of corruption scandals that damaged the body’s reputation.
McKenzie credited Motsepe with bringing greater professionalism and investment into African football.
Infantino remains firmly in control
Despite growing discussion about a future successor, any leadership change at FIFA appears distant.
Infantino is widely expected to secure another term, with strong backing from Africa, Asia and South America, making any immediate challenge unlikely.
That means any serious bid by Motsepe would likely come only after Infantino leaves office.
Speculation about Motsepe’s future is not limited to football. The billionaire has also been linked by South African political observers to a possible future presidential bid, although he has never publicly confirmed any political ambitions.
For now, he remains focused on leading CAF, while supporters continue to position him as Africa’s strongest candidate to one day take over world football’s highest office.
The endorsement is less about an election that is still years away than about Africa signalling its intention to seek greater influence in global football governance.
If Motsepe eventually runs and wins, it would mark the first time an African has led FIFA, reflecting the continent’s growing political and commercial weight in the world’s most popular sport.
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