The French Football Federation (FFF) announced on Thursday, September 10, 2026, that it will not back incumbent FIFA President Gianni Infantino in his bid for a new term at the helm of world football’s governing body.
​The official stance was confirmed following an executive committee meeting held at the FFF headquarters on Boulevard de Grenelle in Paris.
Speaking on behalf of the governing body, FFF President Philippe Diallo revealed that the committee voted unanimously to withdraw its backing for the Swiss-Italian administrator ahead of the upcoming election.
​The decision comes in the wake of mounting frustration over FIFA’s internal governance, ethical standards, and a controversial proposal to commercialize and partially privatize global competitions, a plan strongly opposed by European football leadership.
​”The governance of FIFA must evolve toward greater transparency, ethics, and genuine consultation with national member associations,” Diallo stated during a press briefing following the executive session. “Trust has been eroded over key commercial decisions affecting global football, and the FFF can no longer offer its endorsement under the current structure.”
​France’s declaration represents a significant blow to Infantino’s re-election campaign. Initially, the FFF had joined several other member federations in signing an early letter of support.
However, the French federation now aligns itself with a growing coalition of European governing bodies, including the football associations of Sweden, Scotland, Italy, Belgium, and Romania, that have formally pulled their endorsements.
​The next FIFA presidential vote is scheduled to take place during the 77th FIFA Congress on March 18, 2027, in Rabat, Morocco. While Infantino previously ran unchallenged, the growing opposition across UEFA member nations has triggered active discussions among global football leaders to put forward a credible alternative candidate ahead of the deadline.
