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France has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president, deepening opposition to his leadership ahead of the March 2027 election.
The French Football Federation (FFF) announced the decision on Thursday, aligning itself with several other European football bodies that have publicly withdrawn their backing for the 56-year-old Swiss.
Belgium, Italy, Scotland, Sweden and Wales have also turned against Infantino, putting growing pressure on the FIFA president as he seeks to extend his leadership of world football.
FIFA confirmed last weekend that Infantino would contest the presidential election despite the backlash that followed his now-abandoned proposal to bring private investment into the men’s and women’s World Cups.
Infantino is currently the only declared candidate for the election, meaning the withdrawal of support from France represents a significant development ahead of the vote.
FFF president Philippe Diallo said the federation believed Infantino had lost the trust placed in him and that FIFA’s approach to governance no longer reflected the position of French football.
“We believe that the trust placed in the FIFA president has been betrayed, and that the way in which the governance of world football is envisaged no longer reflects us,” Diallo said in a statement.
“That is why, by a unanimous decision of its members, the French Football Federation has decided to withdraw its support for Gianni Infantino’s candidacy for the FIFA presidency.”
France’s decision follows similar moves by other European federations and comes after Infantino abandoned the controversial private-investment plan following widespread criticism.
The FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March 2027, with Infantino seeking a new term despite the growing opposition from several of Europe’s major football federations.
