Philippe Diallo set to officially oppose Infantino ahead of 2027 FIFA election

Philippe Diallo is preparing to officially take a stand against Gianni Infantino, according to information reported by journalist Daniel Riolo. The president of the French Football Federation is expected to have his decision validated at an Executive Committee meeting scheduled for September 8, before France formally joins the bloc of opponents to the FIFA president ahead of the March 2027 election.

“The FFF will speak out, Philippe Diallo has been clear on the project: he will not vote for Gianni Infantino, he will even be an important opponent, just like all the European countries that have threatened boycotts, and France was among them,” Riolo stated.

This announcement comes in a context of mounting pressure on Infantino. The FIFA president has faced numerous criticisms since controversies linked to the 2026 World Cup in North America, and his project to create a commercial subsidiary of the organization was abandoned in the face of resistance from continental confederations, including UEFA.

The situation became even more complicated on Friday when journalist Romain Molina published a lengthy video titled “French Betrayal,” in which he accuses Philippe Diallo of playing a double game by quietly supporting Infantino. Molina relies notably on a statement from New Caledonia — an associate member of the FFF — published in favor of the Swiss executive. “France, we’re starting to have doubts. They could perhaps betray us,” he said, speaking from the perspective of European leaders.

But it is another hypothesis that now seems to dominate discussions behind the scenes of world football. According to Riolo, several bodies — the ECA, UEFA, Concacaf and various federations — are seeking to push Infantino not to run again before even the March ballot. “He is counting his support,” Riolo added.

“The balance in the world is tipping against Gianni Infantino,” the journalist concluded. If Philippe Diallo confirms his position on September 8, France would become one of the most prominent European players in this rebellion against the incumbent FIFA president.