French Football Federation’s president sets reaching World Cup semi-finals as France’s objective | OneFootball

Whilst public opinion logically regards the French team as one of the hot favourites to win the World Cup, Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation (FFF), prefers to frame the issue in terms of objectives.

“The objectives are always the same for France,” he reiterated in an interview with L’Équipe. “In terms of the budget, it’s the quarter-finals. In sporting terms, it’s the semi-finals. And in our minds, it’s another star.”

Whilst the 62-year-old hopes to see Les Bleus go as far as possible in the tournament, his role within French football’s governing body also means he has to think in terms of figures. For, as he himself pointed out, taking part in the World Cup in the US is costly for the Federation. Very costly.

To balance the books and ensure this World Cup does not cost the FFF any money, Diallo therefore believes that Didier Deschamps’ men need to reach the semi-finals, “at the very least, if not further”.

That’s just as well, as it seems hard to imagine Les Bleus not harbouring such ambitions. At the very least, if not further.

GFFN | Léo Aschi