According to reports, France is considering supporting Gianni Infantino's re-election as FIFA president to strengthen its bid for the 2038 FIFA World Cup. Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, is expected to seek another term, with the election likely in 2027.
The French Football Federation (FFF) has not officially confirmed this strategy, but sources suggest that aligning with Infantino could improve France's chances in the competitive bidding process. The 2038 World Cup is one of the few remaining opportunities for European nations to host the tournament, following the 2026 (USA, Canada, Mexico), 2030 (Spain, Portugal, Morocco, with matches in South America), and 2034 (Saudi Arabia) editions.
France previously hosted the World Cup in 1938 and 1998, and successfully organized the 2019 Women's World Cup. A bid for 2038 would require strong support from FIFA's member associations, making Infantino's backing potentially crucial.
Critics argue that such political maneuvering could undermine the integrity of the bidding process, while supporters see it as a pragmatic move to secure a major sporting event. The FFF has not yet made a formal announcement regarding its position on Infantino's re-election or the 2038 bid.