Samuel Eto’o Explains Backing for Infantino Amid FIFA Pressure

Samuel Eto’o has defended FIFA president Gianni Infantino as pressure builds around his leadership, saying the Swiss official has created opportunities for Africa and smaller football nations. FIFA’s 211 member associations are at the centre of a debate that is intensifying before next year’s presidential election.

Eto’o, who leads the Cameroonian Football Federation, believes the criticism is linked to the approaching vote. He said he saw no wrongdoing by Infantino and suggested the timing of the attacks was politically significant.

Infantino has faced opposition since a proposal to bring private investment into FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, failed to progress. The plan was expected to provide substantial financial distributions to FIFA’s member associations, but several confederations objected before it was dropped.

UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF have questioned FIFA’s direction. A possible no-confidence vote has also been raised, adding to the uncertainty around Infantino’s position as he prepares for a re-election campaign.

Eto’o said Infantino’s leadership had changed football by allowing countries that previously lacked access to participate in the World Cup. He also credited the FIFA president with helping African federations develop more quickly and called for greater recognition of that work.

His stance matches the Confederation of African Football, which has unanimously renewed its support for Infantino. However, former international players and FIFA Legends have taken the opposite view, arguing that the organisation has moved away from its traditional values under his leadership.

The group includes former World Cup winners Emmanuel Petit, Bixente Lizarazu and Robert Pires, as well as Briana Scurry, Lucy Bronze, Didier Drogba, David James, Claudio Pizarro, Juan Sebastian Veron and Emmanuel Adebayor. They are seeking major changes to FIFA’s governance, while regional football figures consider whether to challenge Infantino before the election.