Gayton McKenzie Backs Patrice Motsepe to Succeed Gianni Infantino as FIFA President

South Africa’s Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has thrown his weight behind CAF President Patrice Motsepe to succeed Gianni Infantino as FIFA president, insisting that the time has come for an African to lead world football.

With Infantino facing growing criticism over his leadership of FIFA, McKenzie believes Motsepe is the strongest candidate to take over when the time eventually comes for a change at the top of world football.

Motsepe, who has served as Confederation of African Football (CAF) president since 2021 and was re-elected by acclamation in March 2025, has increasingly been mentioned in discussions about the future leadership of FIFA.

McKenzie, however, stressed that Africa is not seeking to remove Infantino before his current term ends.

“There is no other person other than Gianni Infantino who should run FIFA than Dr Patrice Motsepe. Don’t look too far," McKenzie told SportsBoom.co.za in an exclusive interaction. 

The minister praised Motsepe’s leadership of CAF and argued that the South African administrator has the credentials to take charge of the global governing body.

“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.”

McKenzie Wants Africa to Back Motsepe

Despite openly backing Motsepe, McKenzie insisted that there should be no rush to remove Infantino.

“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 went further, claiming that Motsepe's reluctance to seek the position should not prevent football stakeholders from supporting him.

“There is no one better than Dr Patrice Motsepe, although he doesn’t want the job. That I can tell you for free.”

He added: “Regardless of what he says, the people of football want him.”

The comments come as the battle for FIFA's future leadership begins to take shape. 

Infantino has indicated that he intends to seek another term, while UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin has ruled himself out of challenging for the position. 

A potential challenge from CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani has also been discussed, although the Canadian has not publicly committed to a FIFA presidential campaign.

Infantino Under Pressure Over FIFA Commercial Plan

Infantino's position has come under renewed scrutiny following the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.

The plan involved creating a new FIFA commercial entity and selling up to a 20% stake to private investors in a deal that was expected to raise around $4.2 billion. 

The proposal faced strong opposition from UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation, with critics raising concerns about transparency, governance and the commercialisation of FIFA's competitions.

FIFA subsequently abandoned the proposal following the widespread backlash.

The controversy has intensified pressure on Infantino, with UEFA and several European football associations publicly questioning his leadership. 

Six Nordic football associations have also said they have lost confidence in the FIFA president and called for an independent review of the proposal and FIFA's governance.

McKenzie Still Backs Infantino

Despite supporting Motsepe as Infantino's eventual successor, McKenzie remains firmly behind the current FIFA president.

The minister acknowledged that he did not believe Infantino's commercial proposal was a good idea, but argued that one controversial decision should not determine his future.

“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.”

McKenzie also defended Infantino's relationship with African football, arguing that the continent has benefited from his leadership.

“Infantino is a great friend of the African continent. We are not saying what he did was right, but we still had to vote for that idea.”

He also rejected what he described as threats from European football authorities.

“Europe must not tell us, if you don’t do this, we are walking. They [UEFA] keep threatening and saying they will walk and will not be part of the FIFA World Cup.”

McKenzie insisted that African football should not allow itself to be dictated to by Europe.

“We cannot be subjected to threats by European countries. If they want to remove him, do so next year in March [at the elections].”

The FIFA presidential election is expected to take place in March 2027, with Infantino currently seeking to remain in office.

‘Africa Should Be Smart’ in Its Response

McKenzie believes African football associations should carefully consider the continent's relationship with Infantino before taking a position on his future.

“African countries should be very smart about this response to Infantino’s allegations. Infantino has changed the game for African countries.”

He made his position clear, saying South Africa would continue supporting the FIFA president.

“I don’t want any ambiguity behind it. 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.”

The minister's position creates an interesting dynamic: while he backs Infantino to complete his current term, he is simultaneously positioning Motsepe as the preferred African candidate to take over afterwards.

South Africa to Host FIFA Headquarters?

McKenzie also made a significant claim regarding FIFA's future presence in South Africa, saying the country will host the organisation's headquarters.

“I can confirm the FIFA Head Offices will be in South Africa.”

The claim would represent a major development for South African football and the country's position within the global game. However, the relocation should be treated as a claim by the minister pending formal confirmation from FIFA.

For now, McKenzie's endorsement of Motsepe adds another layer to an increasingly significant conversation about who should lead world football after Infantino.

For Africa, the prospect of a South African FIFA president would represent a historic moment. 

For Motsepe, however, the question remains whether he is prepared to make the transition from leading African football to taking charge of the world's governing body.