FIFA appoints Gelson Fernandes to lead separate Caribbean oversight

FIFA has appointed former Switzerland international Gelson Fernandes to oversee its member associations in the Caribbean, separating the region’s administration from the rest of Concacaf. The Guardian reported that Fernandes will take responsibility for 21 Caribbean-based members while retaining his position as FIFA’s regional director for Africa. FIFA confirmed the appointment in a statement to the newspaper.

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Concacaf encompasses North America, Central America and the Caribbean, and FIFA had previously managed its member-association relationships across the confederation as one bloc. According to the Guardian, Fernandes replaces Jair Bertoni as FIFA’s liaison with the Caribbean members. The report said national associations and Concacaf were informed of the change last week and were not consulted beforehand.

FIFA said Fernandes would lead the regional team and work with Caribbean associations to support football development in their countries. It cited his experience inside the governing body and knowledge of development programmes. Fernandes joined FIFA in 2022 as director of member associations for Africa and was promoted in 2024 to deputy chief member associations officer with a global remit.

The appointment comes amid political tension before FIFA’s presidential election in March. The Guardian reported that sources at member associations in Europe and North America view the administrative change as an attempt to divide Concacaf’s voting bloc. That interpretation is disputed by FIFA’s stated rationale, and the report did not establish that electoral considerations caused the restructuring.

Concacaf president Victor Montagliani is regarded by some within UEFA as a possible challenger to Gianni Infantino, according to the Guardian, but he has not decided whether to enter the FIFA race. Montagliani is also seeking re-election as Concacaf president. Infantino, meanwhile, reaffirmed last weekend that he intends to seek another term as FIFA president. The deadline for rival candidates is November 18.

The Caribbean vote could therefore become important if the presidential contest develops. The Guardian said Mexico has already announced support for Infantino, while Jamaican federation president Michael Ricketts has also backed the status quo this week. For now, the confirmed operational change is that Fernandes has added the Caribbean to his existing African responsibilities, with FIFA presenting the move as part of its effort to make football development more global.