In a unanimous vote on Thursday, the French Football Federation announced it would no longer back FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s bid for a third term. FFF president Philippe Diallo stated that Infantino had seriously damaged the image and unity of football following widespread governance concerns.
The decision comes in the wake of Infantino’s controversial proposal to sell private stakes in the World Cup. Although that plan was abandoned on 1 August 2026 after facing intense backlash, it triggered a wave of criticism regarding how world football is managed. Diallo noted that the conditions for supporting the incumbent leader are no longer met.
France’s withdrawal aligns the nation with a growing coalition of European associations, including Belgium, Italy, Scotland, Sweden, and Wales, which have also pulled their backing. Despite the mounting opposition and loss of confidence from major federations, Infantino remains a candidate for the upcoming FIFA presidential election, which is scheduled for March 2027.
