FIFA Council Elections: Augustin Senghor vows to fight for the continent’s interests
Senegal’s Football Federation President Augustin Senghor has promised to emblematically fight and represent the African continent, when he gets the nod in the upcoming FIFA council Elections.
Mr. Senghor confirmed his candidacy for a FIFA Council seat over the weekend with a strong statement. It comes as a great addition that follows the logical course of his career and marks a historic turning point for African football.
However, a tough battle awaits with top contenders from other regions.
From times past, Augustin Senghor is not one to back out from a competitive space, and he has what it takes to shift the paradigm.
Augustin Senghor, 59, is an influential leader in Senegalese and African football. A lawyer by profession, he has been the President of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) since 2009. Under his leadership, Senegal has experienced historic successes, including the victory of the Teranga Lions at the 2022 TotalEnergies AFCON and the rise of other categories and disciplines associated with football, including beach soccer.
He was also President of the UFOA A zone for eight years and currently holds the position of First Vice-President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
His experience within the governing bodies of African football makes him a respected figure on the continent.
On Saturday 22 February 2025, Augustin Senghor officially announced his candidacy to join the FIFA Council. This decision is part of a desire to bring his expertise and experience to the global stage. In his candidacy statement, as gotten by sportglitz, he explains his commitment in these terms. “I thought that the time had come to offer my services, my skills and my experience to the realization of the convergent vision of our two leaders Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, and Dr Patrice Motsepe, CAF President, for a strong and promising African football in the world’s football that is ever more universal, radiant, vibrant and popular.”
Senghor has announced himself as a key player in defending the interests of African football within FIFA. He highlights his passion and commitment to the development of football on the continent and seeks the support of African federations for the elections on 12 March 2025.
For starters, the FIFA Council is a strategic body responsible for the governance of world football. It is composed of 37 members, including the FIFA President, the Vice-Presidents and representatives of the six continental confederations (AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC, UEFA).
The President is elected by the FIFA Congress. He and the eight Vice-Presidents and 28 other members elected by the FIFA associations each serve a four-year term.
Here is the list of current candidates:
- Fouzi Lekjaa who wants to run for a new term (Morocco)
- Hany Abo Rida who wants to run for a new term (Egypt)
- Ahmed Yahya (Mauritania)
- Souleiman Waberi (Djibouti)
- Amaju Pinnick (Nigeria)
- Idriss Diallo (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Mathurin de Chacus who wants to run for a new term (Benin)
- Djibrilla Hima Hamidou (Niger)
- Andrew Kamanga (Zambia)
- Mamoutou Touré who wants to run for a new term (Mali)
- Walter Nyamilandu who wants to run for a new term (Malawi)
The election of new members of the FIFA Council will take place during CAF Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo, Egypt on March 12, 2025.
Augustin Senghor will have to convince as many African federations as possible to secure a place among the continent’s representatives. His experience, networks and vision of African football will be key arguments to attract voters.
