France will not support Gianni Infantino’s bid to remain FIFA president for another term, the French Football Federation (FFF) has confirmed.
The FFF announced on Thursday that it would withdraw its backing for Infantino ahead of next year’s FIFA presidential election, scheduled for March 2027.
France is now joining a growing number of European football associations that have turned against Infantino. Belgium, Italy, Scotland, Sweden and Wales have also publicly withdrawn their support for the FIFA president.
Infantino confirmed last weekend that he intends to stand for re-election, despite facing criticism over his previously proposed plan to bring private investment into the men’s and women’s World Cups. The proposal has since been abandoned.
The 56-year-old Swiss remains the only confirmed candidate at this stage.
FFF president Philippe Diallo explained the decision in a statement, saying the federation no longer has confidence in the direction of FIFA under Infantino.
“We believe that the trust placed in the FIFA president has been betrayed, and that the way in which the governance of world football is envisaged no longer reflects us,” Diallo said.
He added:
“That is why, by a unanimous decision of its members, the French Football Federation has decided to withdraw its support for Gianni Infantino’s candidacy for the FIFA presidency.”
France’s decision represents another major blow to Infantino as he prepares for the 2027 election, with several European federations now distancing themselves from his leadership.
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