France has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president in March 2027.
The French Football Federation (FFF) announced the decision Thursday, joining several European federations opposing the incumbent.
Belgium, Italy, Scotland, Sweden, and Wales have also publicly withdrawn their support for Infantino. The move adds pressure on the FIFA president ahead of the election.
FIFA confirmed last weekend that Infantino will seek another term despite growing criticism. The backlash followed his now-abandoned plan to attract private investment into the men’s and women’s World Cups.
French Federation Cites Governance Concerns
Infantino, 56, currently remains the only confirmed candidate for the presidency. However, CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani is widely expected to challenge him in the election.
FFF president Philippe Diallo said French football leaders unanimously decided to withdraw their support. He argued that FIFA’s current governance approach no longer reflects France’s position.
Diallo also said France has historical legitimacy within global football. He described France as one of FIFA’s founding nations and said it should speak when governance moves off course.
Infantino Faces Growing European Opposition
The French decision was widely expected but could still hurt Infantino’s campaign. France holds significant influence within European and international football.
Diallo also highlighted France’s sporting record as another reason for its strong position. He noted that France has remained among the FIFA rankings’ top three teams for the past decade.
Meanwhile, Infantino has faced increasing scrutiny over his leadership and FIFA’s governance direction. The abandoned World Cup investment proposal intensified concerns among several European federations.
The March 2027 election will determine whether Infantino secures another term. However, growing opposition could make the contest more challenging if additional candidates enter the race.
For the latest updates, visit and follow The Truth International website (www.thetruthinternational.com) and subscribe to the YouTube Channel.
