CAF Executive Committee to Review FIFA Forward Programme in Upcoming Talks

By Samuel Akpan

CAF has received FIFA’s Forward Enterprise proposal, and President Dr. Patrice Motsepe will lead an executive committee meeting next week to weigh what the initiative could mean for African football.

The correspondence arrived today as part of FIFA’s wider consultation involving all its member-associations and the FIFA Council.

Dr Motsepe will chair the CAF Executive Committee meeting to examine the proposal in detail and determine its implications for the continent.

CAF has urged its member associations to study the FIFA Forward Enterprise document carefully and take part fully in the consultation process, following both CAF and FIFA regulations and established procedures.

The continental body reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing dialogue with its associations, FIFA, the other football confederations and key stakeholders.

Designed to unlock major funding and development resources for African and global football, the cooperation comes on the heels of a divisive FIFA proposal.

As previously reported by Persecondnews, FIFA sparked outrage by offering member associations $40 million each—under a tight September 19 deadline—to back the sale of stakes in flagship tournaments like the World Cup.

The world governing body unveiled the scheme on Tuesday, proposing a commercial subsidiary to manage its major events, including the World Cup itself.

The announcement triggered immediate and furious opposition across the sport.

UEFA, European football’s governing body, insisted the World Cup is not an asset to be traded.

The Asian Football Confederation added that it had never been consulted on the plans.

EU sports chief Glenn Micallef delivered a blunt warning to FIFA on Wednesday, declaring “Hands off our game.”

According to The Times the same day, FIFA president Gianni Infantino informed member associations that a total $10 billion funding package would be unlocked if they signed up.

In a letter seen by the British newspaper, Infantino made clear that the decision rested solely with each individual association.

“Should you wish to proceed, this $10 billion package will become available as of January 1, 2027, ushering in the next phase of our journey together,” he wrote.

Those who prefer to keep the status quo and reject the proposal would still receive the previously planned expansion of the Forward development programme, worth $2.7 billion.

“In total for the upcoming cycle starting as of January 1, 2027, each member association will have the possibility of access up to $40 million per member association under this proposal,” Infantino added.

Sources opposed to the plan, speaking to The Times, labelled the entire offer “pure bribery.”