Full Breakdown
France Withdraws Support for Infantino Ahead of 2027 FIFA Election
By Drooid · · How we work
The Decision and Its Immediate Context
On September 10, 2026, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced that its executive committee voted unanimously to withdraw support for Gianni Infantino’s bid for re-election as FIFA president.
Background: The Contested World Cup Stake Sale
In July 2026 Infantino unveiled a plan to create a commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise, that would sell up to 20 % of World Cup commercial rights to private investors. The subsidiary was valued at roughly $20 billion, with a potential capital raise of $4.2 billion. Intense opposition from UEFA and several continental confederations led FIFA to abandon the proposal shortly after it became public.
Data & Statistics
- Proposed investor stake: 20 % of FIFA Forward Enterprise.
- Valuation of the subsidiary: ? $20 billion.
- Expected capital raise: $4.2 billion.
- France has been in the top three of the FIFA men’s rankings for the past ten years.
Official Statements & Responses
- UEFA announced it had lost confidence in Infantino, suspended a threatened boycott of FIFA competitions, and indicated it was preparing a possible criminal complaint in Swiss courts over the abandoned stake-sale plan.
Criticism & Opposition
- UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has led calls for “far-reaching reform” of FIFA and warned that the organization must present a “credible” alternative candidate by the November 18 deadline for nominations.
- European national associations—including England, Wales, Scotland, Italy, Belgium, Sweden and Finland—have publicly withdrawn their support for Infantino, citing concerns over transparency and governance.
Verbatim Quotes
- “From July onwards, the conditions which led to us to support his candidacy had been disrupted. Does the withdrawal of the [sell-off] project solve the issue? I don’t think so. His initiatives during and after the World Cup have seriously damaged the image and the unity of football. As a result, we believe that trust has been broken.” — Philippe Diallo, FFF president
- “The trust placed in the FIFA president has been broken,” — Philippe Diallo, FFF president
- “We have a historical right to intervene; France is one of FIFA’s founding members,” — Philippe Diallo, FFF president
- “It is not enough simply to criticise if you want things to move forward,” — Philippe Diallo, FFF president
- “We will need to be ready by then to put forward a candidacy capable of winning the FIFA presidency,” — Philippe Diallo, FFF president
What’s Next
France said it will join UEFA’s search for an alternative candidate before the November 18 deadline. The FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March 18, 2027, when 211 member associations will vote at the 77th FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco.
