Philippe Diallo, born on August 2, 1963, in Saint-Nazaire, France, is the current President of the French Football Federation (FFF). Diallo’s involvement in football administration has been extensive and influential. Before joining the FFF, he led the Union of Professional Football Clubs (UCPF) from 1992 to 2021 and served on the board of the French Professional Football League. Additionally, he has been a judge at the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber since 2003 and has chaired the Social Council of the Sports Movement (CoSMoS) since 2013
Diallo joined the FFF’s executive committee in March 2021 as Treasurer and was later appointed Deputy Vice-President in December 2021. He stepped in as interim President in January 2023 following Noël Le Graët’s resignation and was officially elected President in June 2023, securing 91.26% of the vote. His election to the UEFA Executive Committee in April 2023 further underscores his significant role in European football administration
The French Football Federation (FFF), established on April 7, 1919, is the governing body of football in France. It oversees the organization and development of football at all levels within the country, including the national teams and domestic leagues. The FFF is responsible for setting the regulations for competitions, managing national team selections, and promoting grassroots football. Throughout its history, the FFF has been pivotal in France’s football achievements, including winning the FIFA World Cup in 1998 and 2018, and the UEFA European Championship in 1984 and 2000. The federation has also been instrumental in developing football infrastructure and fostering talent through various youth programs and initiatives.
The French National Football Team, known as “Les Bleus,” has a rich and illustrious history in international football. Established in 1904, the team is governed by the French Football Federation (FFF). France’s first major success came in 1984 when they won the UEFA European Championship on home soil, led by iconic midfielder Michel Platini. This triumph was followed by an impressive victory in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, also hosted by France, where the team, featuring stars like Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry, defeated Brazil 3-0 in the final. Zidane’s two headers in the final and Emmanuel Petit’s goal in stoppage time secured France’s first World Cup trophy, solidifying their place among football’s elite.
In the 21st century, the French national team continued to achieve significant success. They reached the World Cup final in 2006 but lost to Italy in a penalty shootout. The pinnacle of their recent achievements came in 2018, when they won their second FIFA World Cup in Russia, with a 4-2 victory over Croatia in the final. Under the management of Didier Deschamps, who captained the 1998 team, players like Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, and Paul Pogba played crucial roles in this triumph. Additionally, France won the UEFA Nations League in 2021, further demonstrating their consistency and dominance in international football. The team’s ability to continually produce world-class talent and compete at the highest levels underscores its prestigious position in global football.