The FFF made the decision unanimously and questioned the management of the organization's president, especially regarding the project to open the World Cup to private investors. It also announced consultations to promote changes in governance
The internal struggle for the future of the FIFA added a new chapter this Thursday and once again placed Gianni Infantino at the center of attention. The French Football Federation (FFF) decided to withdraw its support for the Swiss leader ahead of the presidential elections on March 18, 2027, and called for a profound transformation in the way world football is governed.
The decision was made by unanimity by the Executive Committee of the FFF, meeting in Paris. In a statement, the entity explained that, after initially supporting Infantino when he was the only declared candidate, the conditions that had sustained that support changed due to a series of decisions related to the governance of FIFA.
Among the main reasons for their change of stance is the project that Infantino had promoted to create acommercial company (FIFA Forward Enterprise [FFE]) that would include the rights to the World Cup and other FIFA competitions, and allow for the entry of external investors. The initiative, valued at $4.2 billion, generated strong opposition within European football and was ultimately abandoned by the international body itself on Friday, July 31.
The FFF stated that the episode exposed deeper problems and warned that the project "could not be considered without complete information, thorough consultation, and a fully transparent decision-making process". In that same vein, the French federation asserted: "The governance of FIFA is not up to what football represents".
Although that proposal was ultimately withdrawn, the entity believes that the conflict is not closed. "Today, although this project has been definitively abandoned thanks to a coordinated response within UEFA along with several other confederations, the issue of FIFA governance cannot be considered resolved", it stated.
The FFF also questioned other recent decisions by Infantino and maintained that his initiatives have "severely damaged the image and unity of football". In this way, France joins other influential national associations, including those from England, Italy and Germany, which also withdrew their support for the leader amid growing discontent within UEFA.
Gianni Infantino alongside Philippe Diallo, president of the FFF, at the 2026 World Cup
On the other hand, the French Federation did not limit itself to withdrawing its support and announced that it will promote a broader discussion on the institutional future of FIFA. The entity announced that it will hold meetings with French and international leaders and specialists to develop proposals aimed at modifying the governance system. The goal, as expressed by the FFF, will be to "restore trust, reinforce transparency, and ensure the independence and exemplary nature of the governing body of world football".
The outlook represents a new setback for Infantino, who plans to seek a new mandate until 2031 in the FIFA presidential elections on March 18, 2027, which will be held at the 77th FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco. Although he is currently the only confirmed candidate, these elections are expected to be the most complicated for him since taking office.
