Motsepe Rules Out FIFA Presidency And South African Politics
CAF President Patrice Motsepe has confirmed that he has no desire to run for the FIFA presidency in the future, praising incumbent Gianni Infantino for doing a “sterling job.”
Motsepe made the remarks in Sandton on Wednesday while addressing a range of issues, including the performances of the 10 African nations that competed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which concluded on Sunday.
FIFA will hold its presidential election in Morocco next year, but Infantino is widely expected to secure another term after no challenger emerged before the nomination process closed.
Infantino has, however, come under scrutiny following the controversial decision to suspend the automatic one-match ban handed to United States forward Folarin Balogun after his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32.
Balogun was sent off for a challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic, but FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee later suspended the one-match ban for a year, allowing the striker to feature in the USA’s Round of 16 clash against Belgium. FIFA did not provide a detailed explanation for the decision beyond citing regulations that allow sanctions to be suspended. The move attracted widespread criticism after reports that United States President Donald Trump had urged Infantino to review the incident.
Despite the controversy surrounding FIFA, Motsepe reaffirmed his admiration for the organisation and made it clear he has no interest in pursuing its top position.
“This thing about FIFA… let me say this, I have said it on many occasions: I love FIFA. I have enormous respect for what FIFA does globally,” said Motsepe.
“But I have no desire or ambition to be president of FIFA. It doesn’t excite me.”
Motsepe was elected CAF president in March 2021, succeeding Ahmad Ahmad. During his tenure, the Confederation of African Football has significantly increased prize money across its major competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations, the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and the CAF Champions League, while also strengthening the organisation’s commercial growth.
The billionaire businessman also addressed long-standing speculation that he could one day enter South African politics, amid recurring suggestions that he could become the country’s president.
Motsepe, who owns Mamelodi Sundowns, firmly ruled out any political ambitions, saying South Africa already has capable leaders.
“My answer is very simple: South Africa does not need me to go into politics,” he said.
“There are many very capable and very good leaders in this country. I don’t want to mention names, but I have had enormous privileges.
“The only challenge is that I’m not part of any leading political group. That’s why some of my friends say things that are not flattering because someone told them that somebody might persuade me to change my mind.
“No person is indispensable. I’ve had the privilege of leading black business in this country. I deeply love South Africa, and I deeply love the people of this country.”
Motsepe’s comments effectively ended speculation over both his potential interest in the FIFA presidency and any future move into South African politics, reaffirming his commitment to continuing his work in African football.
