Paris, France — Issa Hayatou, the former President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has passed away at the age of 77 in Paris, France.
Hayatou’s death occurred on Thursday, August 8, 2024, just one day before what would have been his 78th birthday. The news of his passing was confirmed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who expressed his condolences in a heartfelt message on social media.
In his Instagram post, Infantino said, “Saddened to hear of the passing of former CAF President, former FIFA President and interim, FIFA Vice President and FIFA Council member, Issa Hayatou. As a passionate sports fan and IOC member, he dedicated his life to sports administration and on behalf of FIFA, and condolences go to his family, friends, former colleagues and all who knew him. Rest in peace.”
Hayatou had been battling a protracted illness prior to his death, according to reports from Cameroonian media. His passing marks the end of an era in African football, where he was a towering figure for nearly three decades.
Born on August 9, 1947, Hayatou served as the President of CAF for 29 years, from 1988 until his unexpected ouster in 2017. During his tenure, he was instrumental in expanding the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) teams and securing more slots for African nations in the FIFA World Cup.
His leadership extended beyond CAF, as he also served as the interim FIFA President and was a member of the FIFA Council, contributing to global football governance.
