French Football Federation ends support for Gianni Infantino ahead of 2027 FIFA election

The French Football Federation has formally withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid to remain FIFA president at the next election, scheduled to take place in Morocco in March 2027.

Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, announced the decision during the organisation’s executive committee meeting on Thursday, according to L’Equipe.

France is now among about 10 European countries to have ended their backing for Infantino, with England and Italy also included. Other national associations are expected to take similar action in the coming weeks.

The move follows growing opposition among several European federations to a proposal associated with Infantino to sell stakes in the World Cup to private funds.

That plan is understood to have been the final factor prompting the French Football Federation to withdraw its support.

The decision places France alongside UEFA and its president, Aleksander Ceferin, who are seeking to remove the Swiss official from FIFA’s leadership.

Infantino’s position will be contested at the FIFA presidential election in March 2027. The vote is due to take place during a FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco.