FIFA

Djibouti
Football federation chief faces growing calls to step down

Souleiman Hassan Waberi is up against mounting opposition over his management of Djiboutian football. Many clubs want him removed, while the state, in an observer role, is unofficially leaning more and more to their side.

Kenya
AFCON 2027 build-up falters as Ruto turns up the pressure

Major works have been stalled or slowed by the payment arrears the government is accumulating with its contractors in Nairobi. Some within the executive fear that the continental football competition may not be co-hosted by Kenya as planned.

DRC
Félix Tshisekedi gives the World Cup final a miss

The Congolese president, who spared no expense in supporting the Leopards at this year's World Cup, was supposed to attend the final match held in New Jersey on 19 July between Argentina and Spain. In the end, he had to cancel his trip.

Palace Intrigues
Félix Tshisekedi, Évariste Ndayishimiye, William Ruto

Intrigues big and small: every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

RDCVital Kamerhe heads to South Africa and France

BurundiÉvariste Ndayishimiye brings together Congolese opposition

KenyaCornered by William Ruto, Gideon Moi seeks Yoweri Museveni's help

Ivory Coast
Idriss Diallo steps up bid to remain at helm of football federation

Despite the World Cup being in full swing, the FIF president already has his eyes on the 12 September election. He is intensifying initiatives to discourage his first vice-president, Malick Tohé, from mounting a challenge.

DRC
Former Tshisekedi special envoy seeks cybersecurity equipment

His schedule includes trips to the US for the World Cup, Paris for the luxury boutiques, Brussels for downtime and Dubai to discuss the procurement of cyber equipment. This national security council consultant is making waves in intelligence and business circles, from Kinshasa to Tel Aviv.

Africa
African federations ally with European counterparts to negotiate with FIFA

An additional sum of $144m will be shared among the 48 federations participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing the total prize pool to nearly $900m.

DRC
Rejected candidates turn to arbitration after election of football federation head

Véron Mosengo-Omba's election as president of the FECOFA football federation on 20 May continues to cause a stir. Three candidates, whose applications had been disqualified prior to the vote, have decided to take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.