France has become the latest major football nation to pull its support for Gianni Infantino's re-election as FIFA president, with the French Football Federation announcing on Thursday that it wants to see fundamental change in how world football's governing body operates. France's decision follows similar moves by several European football associations, including England and Italy
The federation's president, Philippe Diallo, said the trust placed in FIFA's leadership had been betrayed and that the direction world football's governance was taking no longer aligned with French football's values. He stressed that France, as one of FIFA's founding nations, felt entitled to step in when it believed the organization's leadership was heading down the wrong path.
The FFF had originally backed Infantino back in June, but said the conditions underpinning that support no longer held following the emergence of a controversial proposal in late July. That plan would have seen FIFA create a new commercial entity encompassing World Cup rights, with outside investors permitted to buy a stake in it. Diallo argued that a project carrying such significant consequences for football's future should never have been pursued without full transparency, thorough consultation and clear communication, adding that FIFA's governance currently falls short of the standards the sport represents.
Importantly, the FFF made clear that scrapping the investment plan hasn't resolved the underlying governance concerns. The federation said it intends to begin consultations with confederations, national associations, players, supporters and governance experts as it works toward proposals aimed at restoring trust in FIFA, improving transparency and strengthening the organization's independence.
France's move adds further pressure on Infantino ahead of the FIFA presidential election set for 18 March 2027 in Rabat, Morocco. UEFA had previously threatened a boycott of FIFA competitions over the affair before suspending that threat, though the European body continues to call for Infantino's resignation and is reportedly exploring legal action related to alleged mismanagement. Despite the mounting opposition from parts of Europe, Infantino continues to draw support elsewhere, notably from South America's CONMEBOL and Africa's CAF, and FIFA has confirmed he will stand for a fourth term regardless of the growing list of federations distancing themselves from his candidacy.
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