FIFA President expects “fantastic tournament” after attending CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 opener

Sunday 14 January 2024, 00:30
FIFA President expects “fantastic tournament” after attending CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 opener

Gianni Infantino sees hosts Côte d’Ivoire kick off the competition against Guinea
Match “set the tone for a fantastic tournament,” said the FIFA President
Thanked nation for “uniting Africa and the whole world” around the tournament

Mr Infantino was at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in the capital Abidjan alongside the Ivorian President whom the venue is named after, Confederation of African Football (CAF) President and FIFA Vice President Patrice Motsepe, and a host of dignitaries as well as a large, passionate crowd as the Elephants made a winning start to the tournament.

“The opening game of the historic CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 between Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau has set the tone for a fantastic tournament that will unite the whole of Africa and indeed the world,” said Mr Infantino.

“It was great to see Alassane Ouattara, the President of the Côte d’Ivoire, attend the opening match of what is sure to be a wonderful tournament in this great country. My best wishes are with CAF, led by President Patrice Motsepe; with all the participating nations; and with the people of Africa. I am sure everyone will come together to put on a show the world will remember.”

Mr Infantino has been a strong advocate of football development in Africa, and attended matches of the recent African Football League. The project, which was launched last year by CAF with the support of FIFA, is aimed at raising the profile of African clubs, and giving players the opportunity to compete more regularly against the best teams on the continent, as well as increasing commercial and TV revenue in African football.

Before kick-off, Mr Infantino told the crowd the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, which runs to 11 February 2024, would again make the continent the focus of planet football.

“Dear President, dear friends, I’m at home here. Welcome to my home in Côte d’Ivoire. You’re an extraordinary crowd. I would like to thank you, say thank you to you three times,” he said. 
FIFA President attends opening game of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 
01/09
CAF President Patrice Motsepe arrives with FIFA President at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Final match between Cote d'Ivoire and Guinea Bissau at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium
02/09
FIFA President speaks to El Hadji Diouf 
03/09
FIFA President Gianni Infantino meets Cote d'Ivoire Presdient Alassane Ouattara
04/09
FIFA President sat next to Patrice Motsepe at Côte d'Ivoire v Guinea-Bissau, the opening game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
05/09
FIFA President pictured with dignitaries at the AFCON opener
06/09
FIFA President watches on as Patrice Motsepe embraces Cote d'Ivoire Head of State HE Mr Alassane Ouattara
07/09
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe pictured before kick-off 
08/09
A singer is pictured on stage at the opening ceremony of the 34h CAF African Cup of Nations
09/09
Dancers in the colours of the host country flags pictured at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations match between Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau at Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan

“Thank you for welcoming us to your wonderful country. Thank you for organising the best [CAF] Africa Cup of Nations. And thank you for uniting Africa and the whole world around football here in Côte d’Ivoire. Dear President, dear friends, for a month, you are at the centre of the world. 

“Enjoy it, and enjoy the emotions that only football can bring. Thank you once again. Long live Côte d’Ivoire! Long live Africa! And long live football. I wish everyone a great tournament!”