France Targets the 2038 World Cup as FFF Backs Infantino’s Re-Election
The French Football Federation (FFF) plans to support Gianni Infantino’s re-election as FIFA president in an effort to protect France’s bid to host the 2038 World Cup.
According to a report by the prestigious French newspaper L’Équipe, the FFF is prioritizing a pragmatic diplomatic strategy to maintain the best possible relationship with world football’s governing body.
Protecting the 2038 World Cup Bid
French federation officials consider maintaining a strong relationship with FIFA’s leadership essential. Their objective is to avoid potential political obstacles that could damage France’s ambitions during the early stages of the bidding process.
France has extensive experience in organizing major international events. It previously hosted the World Cup in 1938 and 1998 and is now aiming to stage football’s biggest tournament for a third time.
Pragmatism Over Personal Preferences
FFF president Philippe Diallo is not known as one of Infantino’s strongest supporters. However, he appears to have chosen a careful and pragmatic approach to secure long-term benefits for French football.
Supporting the current FIFA president is viewed as a diplomatic move that could help France maintain its influence within the governing structures of international football.
Infantino Faces No Strong Opposition
Gianni Infantino is expected to run virtually unopposed for another term as FIFA president. Under these circumstances, supporting him could become a strategic formality for European federations seeking to maintain positive relations with world football’s governing body.
For France, this position is directly connected to its ambitious plans for 2038.
World Cup Could Drive Stadium Modernization
The initial push for a French bid came from an extensive report produced by Territoires d’Événements Sportifs (TES).
According to the report, hosting a major global sporting event would be the most effective way to accelerate stadium modernization and improve sporting infrastructure across the country.
A successful bid would give France the opportunity to renovate existing venues, upgrade transportation networks and strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading hosts of major sporting events.
Although the road to 2038 remains long, the FFF’s diplomatic strategy shows that France has already begun preparing to turn this ambition into a serious World Cup bid.