French Football Federation facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
French Football Federation

UEFA
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Short name	FFF, 3F , Triple F
Founded	7 April 1919; 106 years ago (1919-04-07)
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FIFA affiliation	1904 (USFSA) 1907 (CFI) 1919
UEFA affiliation	1954
President	Philippe Diallo

The French Football Federation (often called FFF or 3F) is the main organization for football in France. It was started in 1919 and its main office is in Paris, the capital city. The FFF helped create both FIFA (the world football body) and UEFA (the European football body). It is in charge of all football games in France, for both professional and amateur players.

History of French Football

How it all started

Before the FFF was created, another group called the Union des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athlétiques (USFSA) looked after football and other sports in France. This group began in 1890.

In 1894, the USFSA organized the very first official French football championship. Only four teams from Paris played in this first competition.

The USFSA also chose the first official France national football team in 1904. However, the USFSA had some disagreements with FIFA, and because of this, it was eventually replaced in 1919.

The FFF is Born

The French Football Federation was officially formed on April 7, 1919. It grew out of another group called the Comité Français Interfédéral (CFI). The CFI and the USFSA often disagreed, especially about whether sports should be professional or just for fun.

Because of these disagreements, France even sent two different football teams to the 1908 Summer Olympics! Later, the CFI decided that FIFA should be in charge of France's teams at the Olympics. The USFSA didn't agree, and this led to France not sending a football team to the 1912 Summer Olympics.

Finally, on April 7, 1919, the CFI changed its name to the Fédération Française de Football. Jules Rimet became its first president. The FFF has been connected to FIFA since 1907. A few years later, the USFSA officially joined with the FFF.

FFF Today

The FFF has had several presidents over the years. Philippe Diallo is the current president.

The FFF is very serious about fighting racism in football. They have spoken out against racist comments made by players from other countries. They work with FIFA to make sure football is fair and respectful for everyone.

What the FFF Does

The French Football Federation has four main jobs:

• To organize and help grow football in all its forms across France and its overseas territories.
• To connect all its members, clubs, and leagues.
• To protect the interests of French football.
• To work with other football organizations around the world, like FIFA.

The FFF is in charge of all official football matches in France. This includes the top professional leagues like Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, which are managed by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) under the FFF's authority. The FFF also picks the coaches and players for the men's, women's, and youth national teams.

In 2010, the FFF had over 2 million registered players and 18,000 registered clubs! They also run many competitions, like the famous annual Coupe de France cup. They organize championships for semi-professional and amateur leagues, as well as regional and local leagues.

The FFF also looks after youth football. They organize leagues for players under 19 and under 17. They also run youth cup competitions like the Coupe Gambardella. For women's football, the FFF manages all three divisions in France and the main women's cup, the Challenge de France.

Regional Football Groups

The FFF is split into 20 regional groups. These groups match the different regions of France, including those overseas. These regional groups are responsible for organizing all football competitions below the top professional levels in France.

Mainland France

Region	Association
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes	Ligue Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes de football
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté	Ligue de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté de football
Brittany	Ligue de Bretagne de football
Centre-Val de Loire	Ligue du Centre-Val de Loire de football
Corsica	Ligue Corse de football
Grand Est	Ligue du Grand Est de football
Hauts-de-France	Ligue de Football des Hauts-de-France
Île-de-France	Ligue de Paris Île-de-France de football
Normandy	Ligue de football de Normandie
Nouvelle-Aquitaine	Ligue de football Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Occitanie	Ligue de football d'Occitanie
Pays de la Loire	Ligue de football des Pays de la Loire
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur	Ligue de la Méditerranée de football

Overseas France

Region/Collectivity	Association
French Guiana	Ligue de football de la Guyane
Guadeloupe and  Saint Barthélemy	Ligue guadeloupéenne de football
Martinique	Ligue de football de la Martinique
Mayotte	Ligue mahoraise de football
Reunion	Ligue réunionnaise de football
Saint Martin	Ligue de football de Saint-Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon	Ligue de football de Saint Pierre et Miquelon

Football Academies

The FFF runs 14 special football academies across France. The most famous one is INF Clairefontaine. It was started in 1976 and is known for training some of the best French players, like Thierry Henry.

How to Join an Academy

Players who want to join an academy must be at least 13 years old and have French nationality. They also need to live in the region where the academy is located.

The process usually starts in October when players are 12. Clubs help players register. First, local football districts hold tryouts. Then, selected players go to the regional academy for a three-day tryout. After these tryouts, the academy chooses a maximum of 22 players, including a few goalkeepers.

Training and Living at the Academy

Players who are chosen live and train at the academy from Monday to Friday. They go home on weekends to see their families and play with their local clubs. They also get school holidays off.

Players must also keep up with their schoolwork. For example, players aged 13-15 at Clairefontaine go to a nearby school. After that, they attend a high school to earn their high school diploma. The FFF covers all the costs for players to attend these academies.

Major Wins

The FFF oversees the French national football teams, which have won many important tournaments!

Men's National Team

• FIFA World Cup
  • Winners (2): 1998, 2018
  • Runners-up (2): 2006, 2022
• UEFA European Championship
  • Winners (2): 1984, 2000
• UEFA Nations League
  • Winners (1): 2020–21
• Olympic Games
  • Gold Medal (1): 1984
• FIFA Confederations Cup
  • Winners (2): 2001, 2003

Women's National Team

• FIFA Women's World Cup
  • Fourth place (1): 2011
• UEFA Women's Championship
  • Semi-Final (1): 2022
• Olympic Games
  • Fourth place (1): 2012

National Youth Teams

Men's Youth Teams

• FIFA U-20 World Cup
  • Winners (1): 2013
• FIFA U-17 World Cup
  • Winners (1): 2001
• UEFA U-21 Championship
  • Winners (1): 1988
• UEFA U-19/18 Championship
  • Winners (8): 1949, 1983, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2016

Sponsors

See also

In Spanish: Federación Francesa de Fútbol para niños

• Union des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athlétiques, FFF predecessor