France’s football federation has withdrawn its backing for Gianni Infantino to remain FIFA president, with FFF chief Philippe Diallo saying confidence in the leader of world football has collapsed.
Diallo said the FFF executive committee reached the decision unanimously.
“The confidence given to FIFA’s president no longer exists,” Diallo told reporters. “Our vision for how the global game should be governed is now at odds with the way it is being run.”
Infantino is pursuing another term but has come under growing pressure since plans to sell private investors a 20% interest in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, were dropped in July after strong resistance from the sport’s regional confederations.
France had originally endorsed Infantino at the end of June, Diallo said, when he was the sole declared contender. Developments since then, however, had transformed the situation.
“The basis on which we supported his campaign no longer applies,” Diallo said.
He said the proposed sale of a stake in FIFA events had been presented without sufficient consultation with, or information for, national federations. That process had also prompted serious concerns about the organisation’s governance and how decisions are made.
England and Italy are among the European federations that have also ended their support for Infantino since the proposal was abandoned.
UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF, which represents North and Central America and the Caribbean, have demanded a change in FIFA’s leadership and are looking for a credible challenger before the March vote.
Diallo said France’s position was part of a wider push within UEFA and elsewhere. The next discussions would centre on improving governance and identifying a contender with the strength to beat Infantino.
“Criticism alone will not bring progress,” Diallo said. “Anyone seeking change must also present solutions.”
He said UEFA would have to establish a programme for FIFA’s next leadership term before selecting its candidate for the election.
“By that point, we must be prepared to nominate someone who can win the FIFA presidency,” Diallo said.
Infantino continues to enjoy the backing of South America’s CONMEBOL and Africa’s CAF.
The FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March 18, 2027, in Rabat. Candidates must submit their nominations by Nov. 18.
