FIFA President Gianni Infantino on How CHAN 2024 Success Will Forever Change East African Football

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has heaped praise on Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, reveling in the region's massive football potential following the level of success witnessed at CHAN 2024.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino believes East African football will change forever following the levels of success witnessed at the just-concluded 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN), which was co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Infantino was in Kenya on Saturday to witness the final between Madagascar and Morocco, with The Atlas Lions overcoming the island nation 3-2 to clinch the trophy for a record third time.

The tournament, which was hosted in East Africa for the first time ever as part of preparations for the big 2027 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil, saw fans fill stadia to the brim, especially when the host nations were hosting their games, and even in the final, there was a large turn up of fans.

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A Tournament of Passion and Progress

The FIFA president was full of praise for the passion shown by supporters and the organisational success of the host nations.

“East Africa is an incredible part of Africa with incredible talent,” Infantino said. “There is a perception that football develops more in the west, south, or north of Africa, but that is simply wrong. 

“When you see the passion here, the commitment, the new stadiums, and the infrastructure, you realise why it is right to invest in the game.”

Across the tournament, stadia were filled to capacity, particularly when the host nations were in action. Even the final between Morocco and Madagascar drew a packed house, underlining the region’s appetite for football.

Infantino highlighted the importance of harnessing this momentum by channeling investment into grassroots football. The President reserved special praise for Kenya, whose infrastructure has improved since the takeover of William Ruto, as well as the election of a new FKF boss Hussein Mohammed.

“This is an investment in the youth of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, which have incredible talent. 

“You now have a new federation president in Kenya who is engaged in making a real difference, and we can already see this happening,” he noted.

He revealed that FIFA is committed to supporting East African football through projects such as national training centres, academies, and infrastructure development.

CHAN as a Launchpad

The CHAN 2024 tournament not only showcased the quality of local talent but also reaffirmed East Africa’s readiness to host major continental events. With the 2027 AFCON looming, Infantino insisted the momentum must be carried forward.

“We at FIFA are investing more in football revenues across Africa. The success of this CHAN shows why it’s important to believe in East Africa’s football future,” he said.

The CHAN 2024 legacy, according to Infantino, is not just about Morocco’s triumph, but about the region itself. 

For him, East Africa’s successful co-hosting represents the dawn of a new chapter — one in which the region will no longer lag behind, but stand shoulder to shoulder with Africa’s traditional footballing strongholds.