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French Football Federation Withdraws Support for FIFA President Infantino — AI-generated representative image: The French Football Federation headquarters, after it withdrew support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino's re-election bid.

Editorial Team

FFF President Philippe Diallo says trust in FIFA leadership is broken after the abandoned stake sale proposal

The French Football Federation (FFF) is withdrawing its support for Gianni Infantino's re-election bid as FIFA president, FFF President Philippe Diallo announced on Thursday. The decision, taken unanimously by the FFF's executive committee, follows mounting criticism of Infantino after his proposal to sell a 20 percent stake in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors was abandoned in July.

The move signals deepening fractures within world football's governing structure ahead of the presidential election scheduled for March 2027 in Rabat. France's withdrawal adds significant weight to a growing bloc of European federations seeking a credible alternative candidate and governance reform at the top of FIFA.

Major Developments

The FFF's executive committee reached its decision unanimously, with Diallo stating that "the trust placed in the FIFA president has been broken." He added that "the way in which we envisage the running of world football no longer corresponds with the way it is being conducted."

France had initially backed Infantino's candidacy at the end of June, when he was the only declared candidate. Diallo said subsequent events, particularly the stake sale proposal, fundamentally changed the circumstances. "The conditions for our support for his candidacy were no longer there," he said.

Background to the Dispute

Infantino has faced mounting criticism since his proposal to sell a 20 percent stake in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors was abandoned in July following widespread opposition from football's regional confederations. Diallo said the proposal emerged without what he described as proper consultation or information being provided to federations, raising serious questions over FIFA's governance and decision-making.

Several European federations, including England's and Italy's, have already withdrawn their backing for Infantino since the collapse of the proposal. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and North America's CONCACAF have called for change at the top of FIFA and are seeking a credible alternative before the March election.

Official Statements and Position

Diallo framed France's decision as part of a broader movement within UEFA and beyond, saying discussions would now focus on governance reform and finding a candidate capable of defeating Infantino. "It is not enough simply to criticise if you want things to move forward. You also have to make proposals," he said.

He added that UEFA would need to define a platform for the next FIFA leadership cycle and, when the time came, choose a candidate for the election. "We will need to be ready by then to put forward a candidacy capable of winning the FIFA presidency," Diallo said.

What Lies Ahead

Infantino still retains the support of South America's CONMEBOL and Africa's CAF. The FIFA presidential election will take place in Rabat on March 18, 2027, with the deadline for candidacies set for November 18.