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Cameroonian Football Federation President Samuel Eto'o has publicly declared his unwavering support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, praising his leadership and contributions to the sport across the African continent ahead of the governing body's upcoming presidential election.
Speaking in an interview with FRANCE 24, the former international striker addressed the intense international criticism surrounding Infantino, asserting that African football administrators must unite to protect their own strategic interests and support a leader who has actively advanced football development throughout the region.
The show of solidarity comes at a precarious time for Infantino, who has faced significant backlash over a contentious initiative to sell equity stakes in the FIFA World Cup to private investors. Although the proposal was ultimately discarded following substantial public and institutional outcry, the fallout continues to reverberate across the global football landscape.
Opposition to Infantino’s tenure has solidified across several major regional governing bodies, with confederations representing Europe, Asia, and North America formally calling for his departure. The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has further escalated the dispute by preparing a formal complaint against the FIFA president.
In contrast to the hostility from other continents, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has adopted a completely unified stance in support of Infantino. Eto'o framed this institutional divergence as a natural reflection of differing regional priorities, pointing out that African federations operate under distinct structural and economic realities.
According to Eto'o, football associations across Africa face severe financial constraints while still bearing the burden of competing against powerhouse nations from Europe and South America on the global stage. Because of these distinct economic pressures, he argued that African leaders cannot approach FIFA governance matters from the same perspective as their wealthier counterparts.
Eto'o explained that it is entirely acceptable for UEFA to pursue and protect its organizational interests, but emphasized that African nations must be afforded the exact same autonomy. He maintained that African football heads are acting in unison to defend what they believe is right and necessary given the daily hurdles faced within their domestic associations.
Describing his relationship with Infantino, Eto'o characterized the FIFA chief as far more than an administrative colleague, referring to him as a close friend and brother. He noted that African football leaders have observed Infantino's rise, supported his vision, and collaborated closely with him on initiatives designed to serve the broader game.
Infantino is formally seeking another term at an upcoming FIFA Congress scheduled to convene in just a few weeks. Securing victory will require winning a simple majority among the 211 global member associations, making CAF's 54 voting federations a critically decisive voting bloc in the contest.
Eto'o confirmed that as long as he heads the Cameroonian Football Federation, his vote will go directly to Infantino because of the transformative support provided to Africa. Beyond his own vote, Eto'o pledged to actively lobby his fellow association heads to ensure that all 54 CAF members cast their ballots unanimously in Infantino's favor.
The solid front presented by Eto'o stands in sharp opposition to critics such as Constant Omari, the former president of the Congolese Football Federation. Omari has demanded Infantino's immediate resignation, publicly alleging widespread moral corruption among African administrators and claiming Infantino maintains compromising leverage over confederation leaders.
Eto'o directly rejected Omari’s accusations, affirming that he has completely aligned himself behind Infantino’s campaign for re-election. Reflecting on his tenure at FIFA, Eto'o maintained that he has never encountered any form of threat or coercive behavior, even while acknowledging he has previously had policy disagreements within CAF under the administration of President Patrice Motsepe.
Questions regarding future leadership have also surfaced following Motsepe’s recent announcement that he will step down and not seek another term as CAF president in 2029. When asked if he harbors ambitions to pursue continental office, Eto'o stated that his immediate focus remains dedicated to his current domestic role in Cameroon.
Eto'o emphasized that he remains very happy leading the Cameroonian Football Federation, noting that there are still numerous challenges to address and ongoing work required to ensure continued competitive success on the pitch for the national teams.
He pointed to recent competitive achievements, highlighting the historic campaign of Cameroon's women's national team, the Lionnes Indomptables, at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations. Eto'o praised their accomplishments, reiterating that Cameroon enters continental tournaments with the clear ambition to win trophies rather than simply qualify.
Addressing long-standing domestic controversies, including tensions with Cameroon's Sports Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi and disputes regarding unpaid player wages, Eto'o downplayed internal friction. He concluded that the federation has fostered the calm and stability necessary for sporting success, arguing that the recent positive results speak for themselves.
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