France has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino's bid for another term as FIFA president, joining a growing group of European football federations opposing his re-election in March 2027.
The French Football Federation (FFF) announced its decision on Thursday, aligning itself with Belgium, Italy, Scotland, Sweden and Wales, which have also publicly withdrawn their backing for the FIFA president.
FIFA confirmed last weekend that Infantino will seek another term in next March's election, despite the backlash over his abandoned proposal to introduce private investment into the men's and women's World Cups.
The 56-year-old Swiss administrator is currently the only confirmed candidate, although CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani is widely viewed as a potential challenger.
FFF president Philippe Diallo said the federation had unanimously decided to withdraw its support after losing confidence in Infantino's leadership.
"We believe that the trust placed in the FIFA president has been betrayed, and that the way in which the governance of world football is envisaged no longer reflects us," Diallo said.
"That is why, by a unanimous decision of its members, the French Football Federation has decided to withdraw its support for Gianni Infantino's candidacy for the FIFA presidency."
Diallo also argued that France's position as one of FIFA's founding nations gives it both the historical and sporting authority to challenge the direction of world football's governing body.
The FFF president pointed to France's record of remaining among the top three nations in the FIFA rankings over the past decade as further justification for speaking out.
Infantino has led FIFA since replacing Sepp Blatter in 2016, but his position has come under intense scrutiny since proposals emerged in late July to establish a commercial subsidiary responsible for major competitions, including the World Cup and Club World Cup.
Under the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative, private investors would have been able to acquire stakes in the company. The plan triggered significant opposition and was subsequently abandoned.
UEFA threatened to boycott FIFA competitions in response to the proposals. Although European football's governing body later suspended that threat, it has called for Infantino to resign and has been preparing possible legal action over alleged "criminal mismanagement".
France has yet to decide which candidate it will support in the presidential election. The FFF said it will begin a consultation process before making a decision ahead of the FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco.
Montagliani, who is also a FIFA vice-president, had previously been regarded as a close Infantino ally but showed signs of distancing himself from the FIFA president even before the private investment controversy.
Despite growing European opposition, Infantino retains significant international support. Saudi Arabia, hosts of the 2034 World Cup, backed him last month, while the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and South American governing body CONMEBOL also remain supportive.
