This is a first victory for Gianni Infantino. The big boss of the International Federation (Fifa), who is fighting to impose a biennial World Cup from the 2028 edition, can now count on the support of the African Football Confederation (CAF). The presidents of the 54 national federations voted unanimously "yes" to the "decision of the Fifa Congress to conduct a feasibility study" for a World Cup every two years, instead of the usual and historic pace a World Cup every four years. It is the first continental body to speak out in favor of this controversial project.
All raised their green cards in the presence of the highest leaders of Fifa, the governing body of world football, who had pleaded at length beforehand for this change of schedule during the 13th extraordinary general assembly of CAF at its headquarters in Cairo. .
A fairly logical verdict on paper because the project promises to distribute more income to federations, a particularly attractive argument for African or Asian authorities, more dependent on this windfall than prosperous European football.
đť—§radition.
đť—˘rnate.
đť—šlory.
Inheritance.
đť—¨nity.
Help us welcome the # TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 official match ball!
Help us welcome Toghu.
🤩⚽ pic.twitter.com/HbVhnHEdbK
- CAF (@CAF_Online) November 23, 2021
These votes come less than a month from a virtual summit where the 211 federations are convened by Fifa, to discuss on December 20 (without a vote) its World Cup proposal.
An evolution which provoked an outcry from most of the authorities.
The European Federation (UEFA), the South American Confederation, the Forum of World Leagues and the powerful European Club Association are opposed to this project in order to avoid overloading an already extremely dense schedule.
South America also raised against an idea which according to it "turns its back on nearly 100 years of tradition of world football", despite the campaign of seduction led by Fifa on the continent.
The format of the World Cup has already been changed recently, since 48 teams including nine from the African zone will participate in the men's tournament in 2026, against 32 currently.
