French Football Federation pulls support from FIFA head Infantino's re

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Published: 2026-09-10T10:05:50.968Z • Permanent link

French Football Federation President, Dominique Theys, has announced that the organization will no longer support Gianni Infantino's bid for re-election as the head of FIFA. This decision comes after weeks of internal debates and pressure from various stakeholders within the French Football Federation. Theys stated that the FFF's decision was influenced by concerns over Infantino's handling of several high-profile cases, including the Qatar World Cup corruption scandal and the governance issues surrounding the UEFA Champions League. The FFF has also expressed disappointment with Infantino's response to the growing criticism of FIFA's handling of LGBTQ+ rights and racial equality issues within the sport.

The French Football Federation's decision marks a significant blow to Infantino's re-election bid, which had been seen as a formality by many in the football community. Infantino, who has been FIFA's president since 2016, has faced intense scrutiny over his leadership style and decision-making. The Qatari billionaire has been accused of prioritizing commercial interests over the well-being of players and fans, and his handling of high-profile cases has been criticized as opaque and unaccountable. The FFF's decision is seen as a major setback for Infantino, who had been expected to win the election with ease.

Infantino's supporters have dismissed the FFF's decision as a "internal" matter, and have pointed to the fact that the organization's decision does not necessarily impact the outcome of the election. However, the FFF's decision is seen as a significant indicator of Infantino's popularity among FIFA's member associations, and could potentially impact the final results of the election.

The French Football Federation's decision to pull its support for Gianni Infantino's re-election bid has significant implications for the Global News & Media domain. Companies such as beIN Sports, which has a major stake in FIFA's broadcasting rights, are likely to be impacted by the uncertainty surrounding Infantino's leadership. Research communities, including those focused on sports governance and policy, will also be watching the outcome of the election closely, as it has significant implications for the direction of the sport. The decision also has broader implications for the global economy, as FIFA's governance structure and decision-making processes have a significant impact on the global sports industry.

The FFF's decision also raises questions about the influence of external stakeholders on the FIFA election process. The organization's decision to pull its support for Infantino's bid has been seen as a response to pressure from various stakeholders, including the French government and civil society groups. The FFF's decision highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability within the FIFA election process, and could potentially lead to reforms aimed at addressing these concerns.

The French Football Federation's decision to pull its support for Gianni Infantino's re-election bid is part of a larger pattern of growing criticism of FIFA's leadership and governance structure. In recent years, the organization has faced criticism over its handling of high-profile cases, including the Qatar World Cup corruption scandal and the UEFA Champions League governance issues. The FFF's decision is also seen as part of a broader trend of increasing scrutiny of FIFA's leadership, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability within the organization.