'Infantino is the one who has brought the most to Africa' says Samuel Eto'o

What the report says

In an interview with France 24, Samuel Eto’o, the former Cameroon and Barcelona striker who now leads the Cameroonian Football Federation, said he will back FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the next re-election contest. Eto’o argued that Infantino has done more than any other football leader for Africa, and said African federations should defend what they see as their own interests given the different financial and organizational pressures they face.

The remarks come amid criticism of Infantino over a now-abandoned plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors, a proposal that prompted pushback from several regional confederations outside Africa. France 24 reported that UEFA, along with some Asian and North American officials, has called for Infantino’s departure, while the Confederation of African Football has aligned itself with him.

Eto’o also described his personal relationship with Infantino in positive terms and said he would campaign among African federation presidents to support the FIFA chief. He contrasted that stance with criticism from other football figures, including former Congolese federation president Constant Omari, who has urged Infantino to resign.

The interview also touched on Cameroonian football. Eto’o said he is focused on his current role, praised Cameroon’s women’s team for its recent Africa Cup of Nations success, and said the federation still faces challenges, including long-standing tensions with the sports ministry and issues around unpaid wages. The interview was published by France 24 Africa on 10 September 2026.