FIFA President Gianni Infantino says significant progress has been made in Africa’s efforts to ensure that national teams can host their international matches on home soil.
Infantino revealed that around 26 African countries were unable to stage their home matches in their own countries approximately two years ago due to stadium and infrastructure-related requirements.
According to the FIFA president, the situation has improved considerably, with 40 of Africa’s 54 nations now able to host home matches domestically.
That leaves 14 countries still unable to meet the required standards, with Infantino saying FIFA’s objective is to close that gap and ensure every African nation can play its home fixtures in front of its own supporters.
“The goal is for all 54 African nations to be able to host their home matches,” Infantino said, stressing FIFA’s continued commitment to supporting the continent.
He added that FIFA would continue working with the affected associations and providing the necessary assistance to help improve stadium infrastructure and meet the required standards.
The development would represent a major step for African football, allowing more national teams to enjoy the traditional advantage of playing at home while giving supporters across the continent greater opportunities to watch their countries compete on home soil.
