FIFA under fire, France renounces support for Gianni Infantino

This Thursday morning, the executive committee of the French Football Federation validated France's opposition to Gianni Infantino's re‑election, scheduled for March 18 in Rabat, as the revolt against the FIFA president has intensified since the summer.

Controversy surrounding the 2026 World Cup

Since the summer, the FIFA president has been at the centre of controversy, fuelled by the disputes that have marked the 2026 World Cup in North America. The situation worsened after the announcement of a privatisation project for the World Cup, a project that was eventually abandoned.

In the wake of that, several countries, through their confederations, have expressed their displeasure towards the Italo‑Swiss chief. Moreover, several federations have decided not to renew their confidence in Gianni Infantino, who nevertheless presents himself as a candidate for his own succession.

France reverses its position

This Thursday, France officially changed sides, joining about a dozen European nations, including England and Italy, which had already announced their opposition to Infantino. The French Football Federation thus confirmed its refusal to support the president's re‑election at the Rabat congress.

Philippe Diallo, president of the FFF and member of UEFA's executive committee, had for several months privately expressed his desire to distance himself from Infantino, while awaiting the collective decision of the executive committee. He remains aligned with Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA president, who also wants to see Infantino leave the presidency.

This reversal is all the more notable because the FFF, before the red‑card episode involving Folarin Balogun, had signed a letter of support for Infantino alongside many other federations, with a view to his re‑election in Rabat.

The contrast between the growing criticism and the French decision shows that Gianni Infantino's legitimacy is now being questioned worldwide, and that the Rabat congress could well decide his future.

The FIFA elective congress, scheduled for March 18 in Rabat, Morocco, will bring together representatives of member federations, who will have to vote on the president's re‑election. France's position, alongside about ten other nations, could influence the outcome.