French football federation withdraws support for FIFA president Infantino ahead of 2027 election
The Fédération française de football (FFF) announced on Thursday, September 10, that it was withdrawing its support for Gianni Infantino, who is seeking re-election as president of FIFA in the vote scheduled for March 18, 2027, in Rabat, Morocco. The decision represents a significant blow to the Italian-Swiss official, who has led world football's governing body since February 2016.
FFF president Philippe Diallo, who was re-elected in December 2025 for a term running until 2028, said Infantino had become a divisive figure who had seriously damaged football's image. The withdrawal follows fierce criticism of a controversial plan to privatize portions of the World Cup that Infantino ultimately abandoned in late July.
Privatization plan triggers governance crisis
The proposal announced in late July would have created a $20 billion company called FIFA Forward Enterprise by selling approximately 20 percent of the stake to private investors for up to $4.2 billion. Joshua Kushner's Thrive Capital was positioned as the core investor in the scheme.
Diallo condemned what he described as the excesses of financial drift at FIFA, emphasizing that the FFF learned about the privatization project through press reports rather than through official FIFA channels. The plan came despite FIFA recording its most profitable World Cup in history in 2026, when the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico generated approximately $12 billion in revenue.
By July 31, Infantino had scrapped the proposal following fierce backlash from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation. UEFA had threatened to boycott FIFA competitions if the plan proceeded, while CONCACAF questioned why private equity investment was necessary after such record profits.
Growing European opposition
France joins a growing coalition of European football associations withdrawing or suspending their support for Infantino's candidacy. Germany, England, Wales, Croatia, Albania, Romania, and Ireland have all pulled their backing following the governance concerns raised by the privatization controversy.
The opposition marks a dramatic shift for Infantino, who was re-elected unopposed by acclamation in both 2019 and 2023. The upcoming election in Morocco could be the first contested FIFA presidential race he has faced since his initial victory in 2016, when he defeated Sheikh Salman of Bahrain with 115 votes to 88 in the second round.
CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani is reportedly being considered as a potential challenger, with UEFA publicly backing a contest against the incumbent president. Under FIFA statutes, no president may hold office for more than three terms, though Infantino's 2016 election to complete Sepp Blatter's term is not counted as a full term, allowing him to seek what would technically be his fourth election but third full term through 2031.
Diallo emphasized that such a significant project should never have been developed without FIFA consulting or informing its member associations at any stage. The FFF president described the failure as unacceptable and a major breach in the direction global football should take, fundamentally changing the federation's perception of FIFA's governance and commitment to upholding football's values.
