France has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid to secure another term as FIFA president, with the French Football Federation, FFF, saying trust in the world football governing body’s leader has been broken
FFF President Philippe Diallo announced the decision on Thursday, saying it was unanimously approved by the federation’s executive committee. “The trust placed in the FIFA president has been broken,” Diallo told reporters. “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 for the FIFA presidency. However, Diallo said developments since then had fundamentally changed the circumstances surrounding that support. “The conditions for our support for his candidacy were no longer there,” he said.
Infantino has faced increasing criticism following his proposal to sell a 20 per cent stake in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors.
The proposal was abandoned in July after facing widespread opposition from FIFA’s regional confederations and national football associations.
Diallo said the proposed sale raised concerns about FIFA’s governance and decision-making process, particularly because federations were not adequately consulted or informed before the plan emerged.
France’s decision follows similar moves by several European football associations, including those of England and Italy, which have also withdrawn their backing for Infantino.
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UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF have called for changes at the top of FIFA and are seeking a credible alternative candidate ahead of next year’s presidential election.
Diallo said France’s withdrawal was part of a wider movement within UEFA and beyond, with discussions expected to focus on reforming FIFA’s governance and identifying a candidate capable of challenging Infantino.
“It is not enough simply to criticize if you want things to move forward. You also have to make proposals,” Diallo said.
He added that UEFA would need to establish a clear platform for the next FIFA leadership cycle before deciding on its preferred candidate.
“We will need to be ready by then to put forward a candidacy capable of winning the FIFA presidency,” Diallo said.
Despite losing support from France and other European federations, Infantino retains backing from South America’s CONMEBOL and Africa’s Confederation of African Football, CAF.
The FIFA presidential election is scheduled to take place in Rabat, Morocco, on March 18, 2027. The deadline for candidates to submit their candidacies is November 18, 2026.
Al Jazeera
