French football federation calls for FIFA reform after ending Infantino support

Paris – Leaders of the French football establishment announced on Tuesday that they will explore reforms to the governance of FIFA following the French Football Federation’s (FFF) decision to withdraw its backing of President Gianni Infantino. The move marks the latest high‑profile withdrawal of support for Infantino, who has faced growing criticism from several national associations over issues ranging from transparency to the handling of World Cup allocations.

The French delegation, headed by FFF president Philippe Diallo, said the federation will convene a working group to examine the structure, decision‑making processes and accountability mechanisms within FIFA. In a joint statement, the group’s mandate includes reviewing the election procedures for the FIFA presidency, the distribution of voting rights among member associations, and the oversight of major tournament hosting bids. The proposal comes amid broader calls from UEFA, CONMEBOL and other confederations for a more inclusive and transparent governance model, reflecting mounting pressure on Infantino’s administration ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

If adopted, the French‑led initiative could influence ongoing debates at the upcoming FIFA Congress, where member associations are expected to vote on a series of governance reforms. While the FFF has not specified a timeline, officials indicated that any recommendations will be presented before the next scheduled meeting of the FIFA Council, signaling a concerted effort to reshape the sport’s global governing body.