Gianni Infantino still holds the FIFA presidency, but Africa has already started naming his replacement. South Africa’s Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has backed Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe to take charge of world football in 2027.

The endorsement lands while Infantino fights criticism from several corners of the game. McKenzie insists there is no push to remove him early, yet his message leaves little doubt about who Africa wants next.

“There is no other person other than Gianni Infantino who should run FIFA than Dr Patrice Motsepe. Don’t look too far,” McKenzie said. The minister argued that the South African administrator already has the credentials to run the global governing body.

Africa Lines Up Behind Motsepe

Motsepe has led CAF since 2021 and was reelected by acclamation in March 2025. His name has surfaced more and more in conversations about who leads FIFA next.

McKenzie’s pitch rests on money and management. “When he took over CAF as president, Dr Motsepe brought in money and brought professionalism to his job. So after Infantino, we are moving with Dr Motsepe as president of FIFA,” the minister said.

There is one obvious complication. By McKenzie’s own account, Motsepe is not chasing the role at all, and the minister does not see that as a problem.

“There is no one better than Dr Patrice Motsepe, although he doesn’t want the job. That I can tell you for free,” McKenzie said. He added that “regardless of what he says, the people of football want him.”

He urged patience rather than a coup. “Even Infantino should support Motsepe. He should serve his remaining term. We are not in a hurry as Africa, but it’s time for an African president,” McKenzie said.

Pressure Builds Before FIFA Election

The timing matters because Infantino’s position has come under renewed scrutiny. The FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal would have created a new commercial entity and sold up to a 20 percent stake to private investors, in a deal expected to raise around $4.2 billion.

UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation all opposed the plan. Critics questioned transparency, governance and the commercialization of FIFA competitions, and FIFA later abandoned the proposal after the backlash.

The fallout has not settled. Six Nordic football associations have said they lost confidence in the FIFA president and called for an independent review of both the proposal and FIFA’s governance.

McKenzie is not joining that queue. He said he never liked the commercial plan, but he does not believe one misstep should end a presidency.

“I have had many business ideas and in hindsight weren’t good ideas. I don’t think Infantino’s idea was good at all. But having had plenty of good ideas and one bad idea shouldn’t be grounds for him to be fired,” he said.

His backing of the incumbent is unambiguous, and he wants the rest of the continent to follow. “I support Gianni Infantino, and I am urging all African countries: let us support the man who was always available to lead with us. South Africa is 100% behind him,” McKenzie said.

The minister also pushed back at European pressure. “Europe must not tell us, if you don’t do this, we are walking,” he said, accusing UEFA of repeatedly threatening to sit out the FIFA World Cup.

His preferred route is the ballot box. “We cannot be subjected to threats by European countries. If they want to remove him, do so next year in March,” McKenzie said, pointing to elections expected in March 2027.

The field is still forming. UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin has ruled himself out, while Concacaf president Victor Montagliani has been discussed as a possible challenger without publicly committing to a campaign.

McKenzie then dropped a separate claim that would reshape South Africa’s place in the sport. “I can confirm the FIFA Head Offices will be in South Africa,” he said, though the relocation remains his assertion pending formal confirmation from FIFA.

For now, the minister is running two positions at once. He is backing Infantino to finish the term while quietly building the case for the man he wants to follow him.