France withdraws support for Gianni Infantino’s 2027 FIFA presidency bid

The French Football Federation has unanimously decided to withdraw its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid to be re-elected as FIFA president in March 2027.

French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo confirmed the decision on Thursday, following a meeting of the organisation’s executive committee. France’s move into opposition to Infantino had been expected in recent days, but was formally announced after the meeting.

The FIFA election will take place on 18 March 2027 in Rabat, Morocco. Speaking to reporters six months before the vote, Diallo explained why France had reversed its position.

“When Gianni Infantino announced his candidacy for re-election, it was initially received relatively positively,” Diallo said, according to French newspaper L’Equipe. “At the end of June, I gave him my support, as did more than 200 national teams.”

He added: “But in July, the conditions for our support were no longer met. Alongside my colleagues on the executive committee, we believe that the confidence placed in Gianni Infantino has been broken. The current way of managing football is not what we want.”

Diallo said the French federation had reached its decision unanimously.

“France’s position is clear,” he said. “France has historical legitimacy to intervene because it helped establish FIFA. We also have sporting legitimacy, because France has been among the world’s top three for 10 years.”

The executive committee also considered possible measures to “make FIFA’s governance more transparent in the future”.

“We decided to begin a series of consultations with leading French and foreign figures in the field of good governance, so that we can contribute to UEFA’s thinking,” Diallo said.

“When the time comes, we will appoint the candidate who will carry our colours in the next election.”