French Football Federation stops backing FIFA President Gianni Infantino amid ongoing controversies.

In a significant shift within the international football community, the French Football Federation (FFF) has decided to withdraw its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid for re-election as FIFA president. This decision, framed by a growing consensus among several European federations, reflects deepening concerns about governance and decision-making at FIFA, with calls for reform gaining momentum ahead of the upcoming elections.

The French Football Federation has formally retracted its support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election as FIFA president, aligning its position with other European federations, including those from Belgium, England, Italy, Scotland, and Sweden. FFF President Philippe Diallo announced this decision on Thursday, stating that a breakdown of trust in FIFA’s leadership necessitated the move.

Diallo explained that the decision was unanimous among the FFF’s executive committee. Initially, France expressed support for Infantino’s candidacy in late June, when he was the sole declared candidate. However, following the abandonment of a controversial proposal to sell a 20 percent stake in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, support began to wane. This stake sale was met with widespread opposition from numerous football confederations and was seen as contrary to the core values of the sport.

The FFF president emphasized that the basis for their initial support had fundamentally changed. “The conditions for our support for his candidacy were no longer present,” Diallo explained, shedding light on the frustrations surrounding FIFA’s governance. The proposed sale lacked adequate consultation and transparency, which raised serious concerns about decision-making processes within the organization.

France’s withdrawal from supporting Infantino comes amidst a broader wave of dissent from other European federations, with various entities including UEFA and the Asian Football Confederation advocating for leadership change at FIFA. This collective action is part of an ongoing discourse on governance reform within the organization. Diallo highlighted the necessity for proposals that can catalyze meaningful change rather than merely voicing criticism.

He noted that UEFA will work on establishing a strategic platform for the upcoming FIFA leadership cycle and is committed to identifying a credible candidate capable of defeating Infantino in the elections set to take place in Rabat on March 18, 2027. The deadline for candidacy submissions is November 18, 2026.

Despite the growing opposition in Europe, Infantino maintains support from South America’s CONMEBOL and Africa’s CAF, indicating that the race for FIFA’s presidency remains complex as the election date approaches. It is evident that significant discussions around governance and representation in football will continue to shape the future landscape of the sport.

#PoliticsNews #SportsNews