Details of FIFA President Gianni Infantino as he makes historic first visit to Kenya for CHAN 2024 finals

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is in Kenya. (FKF)

By Erick Kariuki
Saturday, August 30, 2025

The presence of both CAF President Patrice Motsepe and FIFA President Infantino for the first time in Kenya adds weight to the occasion, symbolising global recognition of Kenya’s growing place in African football.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the most powerful man in the football world, made history on Saturday by setting foot in Kenya for the very first time.

Infantino, who was in Nairobi for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 final at Kasarani, used the moment to underline his pride in Africa’s role in football’s global growth.

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“It is a great pleasure for me to be here, to be here in my country, in Kenya, a beautiful country, to be here in my continent, in Africa,” Infantino told journalists at Villa Rosa Kempinski.

“Congratulations to the three host countries, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, for organising this exciting tournament. CAF and my brother Patrice (Motsepe) have done an excellent job.”

He praised fans for their passion, saying football remained crucial for “all the girls and all the boys in the continent,” and promised more FIFA investment in youth development, talent academies, and grassroots programmes across Africa.

For Kenya, hosting the CHAN 2024 final is more than just a footballing spectacle; it is a statement of intent. With the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, filled with fans and dignitaries, the country has showcased its readiness to stage continental showpieces.

The presence of both CAF President Patrice Motsepe and FIFA President Infantino for the first time in Kenya adds weight to the occasion, symbolising global recognition of Kenya’s growing place in African football.

This comes at a critical moment, as Kenya prepares alongside Tanzania and Uganda to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The successful staging of CHAN has been seen as a dress rehearsal, giving organisers a chance to demonstrate improved infrastructure, security, and hospitality standards.

Details about Infantino

The Swiss-Italian lawyer, born in 1970 in Brig, Switzerland, to immigrant parents from Calabria, Italy, has spent the past decade shaping global football from FIFA’s Zurich headquarters.

A polyglot fluent in seven languages, Infantino first made his mark at UEFA, where he spearheaded Financial Fair Play, Euro 2016 expansion, and the UEFA Nations League.

When FIFA was rocked by corruption scandals in 2015, Infantino seized the moment, winning the presidency in 2016. Since then, he has been re-elected twice, overseeing sweeping changes such as the 2026 World Cup expansion to 48 teams, the Forward Programme for development funding, and global initiatives like Football for Schools.

Yet his tenure has also been polarising. Critics accuse him of centralising power, cosying up to controversial political leaders, and brushing aside human rights concerns—most notably during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and FIFA’s awarding of the 2034 edition to Saudi Arabia.

Even so, Infantino has kept a firm grip on football’s biggest office, portraying himself as a unifier. His presence in Nairobi reinforced that image: “We are all CAF, we are all FIFA, and we are all football. It is our job and responsibility to make African talent grow and shine all over the world.”