Founder & Chairman, African Rainbow Minerals
"Je pense qu'un pays africain gagnera la Coupe du monde", dit Patrice Motsepe, président de la CAF
Dans un entretien accordé à France 24, Patrice Motsepe, président de la Confédération africaine de football (CAF), assure qu'elle a "tiré les enseignements de ce qui s'est passé au Maroc" après la finale controversée de la Coupe d'Afrique des nations (CAN). Selon lui, "il est très important que dans l'esprit de tous ceux qui regardent la CAN, une chose soit claire, c'est que le gagnant gagne car il est le meilleur". À quelques mois du Mondial 2026, il assure penser "qu'un pays africain gagnera", après la qualification en demi-finale du Maroc en 2022.
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About Patrice Motsepe
Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), held a press conference in Johannesburg on 22 July 2026 where he discussed several topics. He announced a record increase in prize money for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), stating that winners will now receive USD 2 million, a 900% increase from the previous amount. Motsepe also confirmed that he will not serve more than two terms as CAF president, saying "there are certain things you shouldn't be persuaded about" regarding leadership governance. He expressed support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, describing him as "a loyal friend" who is "loyal to Africa," and said he would not be persuaded to change his views on that matter. Motsepe addressed Africa's performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stating that 90% of the 10 African national teams qualified from the group stages to the round of 32, which he called the highest in the history of African football at the World Cup. He said the objective is to see an African nation become world champions. He also discussed the situation of Somali referee Omar Artan, who was expelled from the World Cup, and said that through discussions with UEFA, Artan would referee a major European club competition. Motsepe stated that CAF rejects "illegality in all its forms," including illegal migration, and emphasized the need for African countries to partner with each other. He noted that when he became CAF president, the organization was in debt of USD 150 million and now has USD 150 million in its bank account, but said the money is meant to be allocated to member associations.
Transcript (24 segments)
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Host0:09
Hello and welcome to Face à Face, the major interview show on France 24. Our guest today is Patrice Motsepe, the president of CAF. Thank you for being our guest.
Let's start with Kenya. We are in Nairobi. Kenya is one of the host countries for the next Africa Cup of Nations, along with Uganda and Tanzania. It's now in one year. Will all the host countries be ready for a successful Africa Cup of Nations?
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Patrice Motsepe0:39
There is a very strong commitment from the heads of state of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The ministries are working around the clock. There is an excellent team from the Confederation of African Football led by the secretary general. We have full-time teams in these countries. We have set very high standards. Will they be met? Well, these standards, as I said, are very high, and it is very important that there is a very strong commitment across all sectors, and I am certain that we will achieve it. And therefore, the Africa Cup of Nations will be even more successful.
We will at least do as well as what happened in Morocco. And what I like is seeing the commitment, the concentration to do even better than what we did in Morocco. We must improve continuously. Each edition must be better than the previous one.
There was my first edition in Cameroon with a lot of success despite all the challenges. Then a second edition in Côte d'Ivoire, even better than the one we did in Cameroon, and Morocco, which allowed us to reach a truly very high level. And I also want to thank the Moroccan people, the state, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God protect him, as well as all our partners in the world of football.
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Host2:17
Faouzi, you spoke of great success. However, the final somewhat tarnished the picture. We all remember what happened. Senegal was declared the winner. Then two months later, a CAF appeals committee declared that Morocco had won, which sparked very strong tensions and controversy. Now, the decision will be made by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Do you think, whatever the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, will it calm things down or will the discontent remain?
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Patrice Motsepe2:59
I believe we have returned to a normal situation. We have learned the lessons from what happened in Morocco. I have already said it, I was deeply disappointed because this edition had enormous success, and it showed us that there was a continuous feeling of distrust towards refereeing.
We did an excellent job in partnership with FIFA. We professionalized our refereeing work, our standards, our quality, our expertise, truly at a world-class level. But in some places, there remains a feeling of bias, of imbalance. And one thing is certain, if there are corrupt, inappropriate behaviors, well, we will take serious measures.
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Host3:57
You didn't find any with the referees of the final.
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Patrice Motsepe4:02
I will tell you one thing. We called the president of the refereeing committee to account, to present his vision of the performance of refereeing before the highest body of CAF, the executive committee with 23, 24, 25 presidents from member federations who are part of the Confederation of African Football of the continent. We asked him questions because that is how things should work. And I will finish by telling you something else. I am optimistic that based on what happened in Morocco, optimistic about the fact that we are stronger, more united than ever.
My role is to respect the ongoing processes, and I cannot yet comment on the decisions of the Court of Arbitration for Sport before the verdict is rendered. I am certain that whatever the verdict of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, we will respect it. It is a democratic process. If there is a perception on the part of countries that there was inappropriate behavior, each country has the right to file a request with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
But you know, there are many countries, including Senegal, who said that Morocco should win. Senegal said that Morocco should win. Yes, many people, sports commentators, members of certain federations said there was a lot of pressure for Morocco to win the competition on or off the field.
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Host5:52
Wait, explain to me, explain something to me. Why would there be pressure from Morocco? Because it was the host country. No, you deny these allegations?
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Patrice Motsepe6:03
Listen, our reputation is our most precious asset. Reputation is not what I say we are. It is what the spectators, the fans think we are in relation to our conduct, our behavior, and that is very important. Therefore, we must constantly be careful. There are 1.6 billion Africans who love football, and there were 3 billion viewers during the AFCON. For us, it is very important that in the minds of all those watching the AFCON, one thing is clear: the winner wins because he is the best and because he deserves to win.
We train our referees, we use VAR, and we try to be at the highest level. There can be criticisms, sometimes legitimate. Then there must be an evaluation, and action must be taken if it is necessary.
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Host7:11
The referee of the final, Jean-Jacques Ndala, was designated to referee the first leg of the Champions League. Yet, both teams, including the South African team that you know well, said they did not want this referee because of what happened. They are questioning his legitimacy. What is your reaction to their request?
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Patrice Motsepe7:35
You are saying something very important. What you are going to say is even more important. Well, first of all, I am the president of the Confederation of African Football. I must respect the ongoing procedures, the selection processes. I must respect the decisions of our dispute resolution bodies, the refereeing committee, the disciplinary council. I am a football fan, and it has already happened to me to be there and say, 'But how can such or such a decision be made? How can they rule like that? Tell us!' Well, I will explain it to you. I do not have the right to interfere. I cannot. I must not comment based on what is happening with the problems. You have had enough difficulties, unnecessary difficulties, but apparently there is an evaluation and justifications.
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Host8:50
And all 54 members of CAF support President Gianni Infantino for a new re-election in 2027. Why such unanimity? You know, there have been many accusations that Infantino is actually the real boss of African football. I see that you...
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Patrice Motsepe9:14
That's nonsense, really nonsense. I respect the opinions of others, even if I disagree, even if all this is factually incorrect or false. People have the right to defend their opinion. Gianni is a loyal, reliable partner, a supporter of world football and football in Africa. I need a partner. He is a good partner. He is a very good partner, an honest, upright man. And that is the stake of a relationship: trust, mutual respect, and support for the development of football, not only in Africa but also elsewhere. Because it is in our interest on the African continent to see European football function well, as well as football at the global level. So Gianni has our support, he is doing a very good job, and I think he will continue to do so quickly.
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Host10:17
So 10 African countries will participate in the World Cup. You already said that Morocco had reached the semi-finals previously. Are you concerned about visa restrictions for players, supporters, or even federation officials? We know the United States is very strict.
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Patrice Motsepe10:33
It's a very important question. Gianni's commitment has been very strong. He has done a very good job, and FIFA has done a very good job on this issue. There is a total commitment from the American authorities, but also from the Mexican and Canadian authorities. A commitment to welcome players, spectators, fans from all over the world. It's a celebration.
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Host11:00
Will an African country win the World Cup this year?
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Patrice Motsepe11:06
You are very young. You are 15 years younger than me. I am optimistic. I think an African country will win the World Cup. And this year, we must aim high. We reached the semi-finals, but we must say that the level of football at the global level is very tough. Our goal is to ensure that an African country can have success, success, and become world champion. If you reach that level, then you have both respect, recognition, and you are proud of yourself. You are proud across the entire continent among the 1.6 billion African inhabitants and citizens, and also in the diasporas.
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Host11:53
Patrice Motsepe, I would like to thank you for being the guest of France 24 in Nairobi, Kenya. Thank you for watching this show.