World Cup 2022: Gianni Infantino backs Africa
Gianni Infantino has assessed the African teams at the World Cup. The FIFA president was pleasantly surprised.
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The 2022 World Cup will go down in the annals of African football. For the first time, the continent saw one of its representatives reach the semi-finals: Morocco. The Atlas Lions have blazed a trail for the other African nations, who simply have to follow the path. Gianni Infantino, for one, is delighted with the achievement. The FIFA president said so at a press conference ahead of Sunday's final.
"I am delighted because for many decades we have talked about the development of African football and when their time comes - their time has come (...). I think Morocco played exceptionally well. They were a great success and worked very, very well. Reaching a semi-final does not happen by chance. It is the result of a long-term effort, of investment from the Moroccan football federation, from the whole technical staff, and from a young Moroccan coach who has also worked in club football there. They showed us how to play attractive, effective football," Gianni Infantino said.
Major change on the horizon
Gianni Infantino did not stop there, as he intends to seek a new term as head of FIFA. The 52-year-old Swiss made a point of congratulating other African nations, such as Senegal and Cameroon.
"Senegal qualified from the group stage, which was not the case in 2018, then ran into a very strong England side. Cameroon, Ghana and Tunisia also played very well and right up to the last minute of the final games they had a chance of qualifying, which shows the level of African football." Gianni Infantino also mentioned a change at the next World Cup. Africa could have 10 participants there.