The pleasure of the game
To promote play, to ensure players are received in the best conditions.
FFF is
On April 7, 2019, the French Football Federation, born out of the transformation of the Comité Français Interfédéral (CFI), celebrated its 100th anniversary.
The French Football Federation organises, supervises and regulates the practice of grassroots and elite football, its financing and the training of players and coaches throughout the country. The FFF federates the clubs whose mission is the training and practice of football.
A non-profit organisation under the 1901 law, the Federation is recognised as being of public utility. It is characterised by its educational, civic and solidarity commitments.
Its headquarters are in Paris at 87, boulevard de Grenelle, in the 15th arrondissement.
Key figures
2 millions
Members.
1,87 million
Players.
400 000
Volunteers.
15 000
Amateur clubs.
Our missions
Rules and licences
To set and guarantee the technical rules of the game. Issue titles, licences and diplomas.
Technical management
To oversee the training policy for players and coaches. To manage it at both the grassroots and professional level.
The training
To organise and coordinate the training of coaches, managers, referees and players.
The Elite Academies
Directly manage pre-training via centres spread across the country (15 men, 8 women and 1 dedicated to Futsal).
The French National Teams
Organize, supervise and manage all the national teams. The FFF has 18 of them from U16 to Senior.
Refereeing
Assume responsibility for refereeing. Train and prepare grassroots and professional referees.
Competitions
Organize national competitions (French Cups, National, D1 Arkema, D1 futsal, Gambardella Cup...).
Grassroots football
To organise, supervise and finance the practice of grassroots football around the country thanks to a decentralised administrative organisation.
The role of the citizen
Bringing the values of secularism, tolerance and diversity. Fight against forms of discrimination or violation of human dignity.
Sport is health
Highlight the benefits of sport and raise awareness of life-saving actions and injury prevention.
French football
Represent its responsibilities and interests at national (public authorities...) and international (UEFA, FIFA, Federal) level.
DISCOVER THE HISTORY OF THE FFF
Since 1919, the French Football Federation has been supervising and developing grassroots and elite football, as it is one of the most popular French sports. It has even been at the origin of many innovations that have favoured the worldwide development of football.
Our values
Football conveys moral and human values that every member must defend and share. The FFF promotes five of these values: Pleasure, Respect, Commitment, Tolerance and Solidarity.
The different sites of the FFF
Grenelle Headquarters
Nicknamed the "maison bleue", it is the heart of decision making, organisation and development of French football.
CNF Clairefontaine
Home of the French national teams, training with the INF or refereeing with the elite, it is one of the must-haves in international football.
Medical Centre
At the heart of the CNF, which has been awarded "FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence" label, it is one of the world's references in terms of healthcare.
Office in China
Established in Beijing in 2017 by the FFF, in collaboration with the LFP, its role is to export French know-how and develop the market.
The different academies of the FFF
Men's Academy
There are 15, including the oldest, INF Clairefontaine, which prepares 13- and 14-year-old boys for elite training.
Women's Academy
8 structures, including the French section at INSEP, welcome young girls between 16 and 18 years old to prepare them for elite football.
France Futsal Division
Inaugurated in Lyon in June 2018, it is the first. Its inauguration is part of the development of the practice.
Frequently asked questions
- Who runs the French Football Federation?
The President of the FFF and its Executive Committee, comprising 14 members (12 elected, 2 ex officio) who administer and supervise all the activities of the body and French football. Elected for a four-year term by the Federal Assembly, made up of representatives of grassroots and professional football, they drive an action plan in the interest of elite and grassroots football and its development.
- Who runs professional football?
By delegation of the FFF, the “Ligue de Football Professionnel”. The LFP is in charge of managing, under the control of the FFF, the professional clubs and organising, on behalf of the Federation, the League 1, League 2 as well as the Champions Trophy. The FFF is responsible for other national competitions (French Cups, National 1, D1 Arkema...) and national football, as well as developing the practice and supporting grassroots football.
- At what age can you start football in France?
You can start playing from the age of 5 - for children who are then entering the U6 category - and there is no age limit.
- What are the different types of existing practices?
Football can be played at 11, 8 and 5. Age-appropriate approaches, such as children's football, have been developed. There are also technical and regulatory derivations such as futsal, football5 or beach soccer, which are practised at the grassroots and elite level. There are also new practices such as futnet, walking football, fitfoot, golf football...
- What is a license?
A licence - granted by the FFF via the club to which the holder belongs - allows the holder to take part in official competitions and to be insured in case of injury. Do not confuse the membership fee of a club and the price of the licence, which is included in the membership fee.
- What role can I play?
To play, coach, referee, direct, give one's time... To live your passion for football, there are different possibilities. And if none of these roles suit you, you can also go and support your favourite club!