FIFA presidential candidate Ramon Vega has underlined boosting financial independence for African football as one of his key priorities for CAF member associations if elected.
The former Tottenham Hotspur defender registered his intention to challenge incumbent Gianni Infantino at the March 18, 2027, elective congress in Rabat, Morocco. Japan’s Kozo Tashima has also announced his candidacy, while ex-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is yet to confirm whether he will officially enter the race before the November 18 submission deadline.
Infantino has been at the helm of world football’s governing body since February 2016, following the controversial exit of long-time president Sepp Blatter. However, Infantino’s own tenure has faced mounting criticism, most notably over the contentious ‘FIFA Forward Enterprise’ proposal to sell private equity stakes in the FIFA World Cup.
WHO IS RAMON VEGA?
Born in Switzerland to Spanish parents, the 55-year-old enjoyed a high-level playing career with Grasshoppers Zurich, Cagliari, Tottenham Hotspur, Celtic FC, and Watford FC, alongside representing Switzerland at UEFA Euro 1996.
Holding a degree in economics and finance, Vega transitioned into global finance after hanging up his boots, establishing an asset management firm and operating within private equity and hedge funds.
“I understand both worlds in today’s corporate world and [football] governance extremely well,” Vega told FARPost in an exclusive interview.
Vega explored contesting for FIFA presidency in 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda, but did not stand as Infantino went on to be re-elected by acclamation for a third term. The elections now return to Africa in 2027.
ADDRESSING AFRICA’S FOOTBALL GOVERNANCE ISSUES
While officially launching his campaign recently, Vega argued that African football associations have historically been treated as a reliable vote bank, remembered only when election time approaches for the top job in world football.
“Africa rarely receives the recognition or fair financial return it deserves,” Vega noted in a document confirming his candidature. “Development money must never become a tool for securing political loyalty. For too long, Africa has received attention only when votes are needed, with promises renewed every four years but little progress at grassroots level.
“Africa must no longer be exploited. Africa must be respected, empowered and free to shape its own football future.”
RAMON VEGA’S VISION FOR CAF MEMBERS’ SELF-SUFFICIENCY
The Swiss candidate has pledged to build a self-sufficient ecosystem for African football, one designed to deliver true financial autonomy for CAF and its member associations while eliminating long-standing systemic dependency.
“I do understand very well after many years. I’ve travelled around, I know the countries, the issues, the problems, and I know how the culture works,” Vega explained to FARPost.
“So I do understand the issues, and they are resolvable in a way. I have a good vision and idea of how to do it. Of course, I need them [CAF member associations] to come behind.
“Money is one question. The money you have to use it and bring the ecosystem into a self-sufficient way of doing it. That’s where you have to make sure it’s happening, and I don’t think that’s happening on the continent.
“At the moment, they look at the old-fashioned way. How much money are we getting, the currencies, the proximity to power.
“I want to make sure that Africa is independent and make sure the ecosystem is organised. In the future, that means they are independent, strong and powerful as well, financially and not depending all the time. They will get it because they are members.”
VEGA’S CAMPAIGN CHALLENGE: WINNING OVER CAF MEMBERS
Canvassing for votes is already underway across the confederations. However, Vega faces a steep climb in Africa: CAF president Patrice Motsepe publicly threw his support behind Infantino during a press conference in Johannesburg in July 2026.
“I personally support Infantino. He is not just a good friend; he is loyal to Africa. I come from a background where, when people have been loyal to you, you never stab them in the back,” Motsepe stated.
Motsepe’s backing of Infantino, even amid the FIFA Forward Enterprise controversy, underscores the incumbent’s entrenched support base on the continent, with several individual association presidents following suit.
To counter this, Vega believes member associations need a credible candidate willing to stand up for their rights.
“Very simple. I didn’t have anybody else before, and they were afraid because they didn’t have any valuable candidate to go for it,” Vega alleged regarding past election dynamics.
“Now, they have somebody they can go with and defend their interests more than the one who is leading them because I understand it much more. I’m from the industry; first, I’m the player, and I understand what it means to be at the top.
“I also understand what all these football federations can’t say because they were afraid to say it. So, I give them now the power and the strength, and I defend their interests on behalf of them.”
VEGA DISMISSES BLOC VOTING CLAIMS IN FIFA RACE
While support remains mixed worldwide, the Asian Football Confederation [AFC] and CONMEBOL largely back Infantino; CONCACAF has expressed opposition, while the Oceania Football Confederation [OFC] and UEFA appear divided.
Vega insists that public endorsements from confederation leadership do not guarantee how individual member associations will vote.
“At the moment, it’s only talk. CAF is a confederation, and I have no holding rights on them; even on AFC, I have no holding rights on UEFA and other confederations. Member associations can talk and have voting rights,” the former defender said.
“You already see that the AFC [president] Shaikh Salman [ bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa], a month before, was against [Infantino], then a month later he says the AFC is all behind. Then one or two days later, Prince Ali [bin Hussein] from Jordan [Football Association president] mentioned that it’s not true at all.
“Asia is very divided. Africa is very divided. Member associations make decisions, not the confederation. They should never talk on behalf of people who make decisions. That’s not democratic, that’s dictatorship.”
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