France's football body turns against Infantino's re-election bid
The French Football Federation has withdrawn its backing for Gianni Infantino's candidacy for another term as FIFA president, citing a breakdown of trust. The executive committee made the decision unanimously after Infantino's abandoned plan to sell a stake in FIFA competitions to private investors. France joins several other European federations in opposing his re-election ahead of the March vote.
The French federation's reversal follows its initial endorsement of Infantino in late June, when he was the only declared candidate. Diallo indicated that the proposed sale of a 20% stake in FIFA's flagship competitions, including the World Cup, was pursued without sufficient consultation, raising serious governance questions.
France now aligns with England, Italy, Belgium, Scotland, and Sweden in opposing the incumbent. While UEFA, the Asian confederation, and CONCACAF are seeking a credible challenger, Infantino retains backing from South America's CONMEBOL and Africa's CAF ahead of the March 2027 election in Rabat, with candidacy submissions closing on November 18.
This growing European opposition could reshape the balance of power within global football governance. If more federations withdraw support, Infantino may face a genuine electoral challenge for the first time, potentially leading to reforms in how FIFA manages its commercial ventures and consults its members. The outcome could affect how national associations negotiate future World Cup revenues and governance structures, influencing the sport's financial landscape and institutional credibility worldwide.