**French Football Federation Withdraws Support for Gianni Infantino's Re-election Bid**
The French Football Federation (FFF) has officially withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino's re-election as president of FIFA, marking a significant shift in the landscape of international football governance. FFF President Philippe Diallo announced the decision on Thursday, stating that trust in Infantino had been irreparably damaged.
The FFF's executive committee reached this decision unanimously, reflecting a growing sentiment among European football federations regarding Infantino's leadership. Diallo expressed concerns about the direction in which FIFA is being managed, stating, “The trust placed in the FIFA president has been broken. The way in which we envisage the running of world football no longer corresponds with the way it is being conducted.”
Infantino, who is seeking another term as FIFA president, has faced increasing criticism, particularly following the collapse of his proposal to sell a 20 percent stake in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors. This proposal, which was abandoned in July, faced widespread opposition from football's regional confederations, leading to questions about FIFA's governance and decision-making processes.
Initially, the FFF supported Infantino's candidacy when he was the sole declared candidate at the end of June. However, Diallo noted that subsequent developments had fundamentally altered the conditions under which their support was given. “The conditions for our support for his candidacy were no longer there,” he remarked.
The fallout from Infantino's proposal has not only affected France; several other European federations, including those from England and Italy, have also withdrawn their backing. This has contributed to a broader movement within UEFA and beyond, with calls for a change in leadership at FIFA. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and Concacaf, which represents North America, are now actively seeking a credible alternative to Infantino ahead of the upcoming election.
Diallo emphasized the need for reform in FIFA's governance and decision-making, stating that mere criticism is insufficient. “It is not enough simply to criticise if you want things to move forward. You also have to make proposals,” he said. He indicated that discussions would now focus on governance reform and identifying a candidate capable of challenging Infantino in the election.
Looking ahead, Diallo mentioned that UEFA must define a platform for the next FIFA leadership cycle and prepare to present a candidate who can effectively contest the presidency. “We will need to be ready by then to put forward a candidacy capable of winning the FIFA presidency,” he noted.
Despite the withdrawal of support from several federations, Infantino still retains backing from South America's Conmebol and Africa's CAF. The FIFA presidential election is scheduled to take place in Rabat on March 18, 2027, with the deadline for candidacies set for November 18, 2026.
As the landscape of international football governance evolves, the implications of the FFF's decision and the potential emergence of new candidates will be closely monitored by stakeholders across the sport. The future of FIFA leadership remains uncertain, with the upcoming election poised to be a pivotal moment in the organization's history.