The French Football Federation and its successful lead in esports development

In recent years, football esports have grown from a niche interest into a global phenomenon drawing millions of passionate players and fans. The French Football Federation (FFF) has been one of the most proactive football governing bodies in embracing this evolution with remarkable ambition. By strategically developing its “eFoot” program back in 2018, the FFF has not only nurtured elite players but also built a grassroots structure that reflect its traditional football ecosystem.

What sets the FFF apart is not just its institutional support for esports, but its ability to raise a vibrant, competitive, and deeply engaged community. The country has produced renowned players such as Fouma, LJR_Peixoto, DPeixoto, zen, M0nkeyM00n, Vatira, Ferra, and many others professionals who embody the nation’s growing passion for football and football esports, and its potential on the global stage.

To better understand the driving forces behind the FFF’s esports strategy and success, we spoke with Viktor Kamkar, Chef de Produits Marketing (Marketing Product Manager) at the FFF. His insights reveal France’s commitment to structure, innovation, and the human element that fuels the spirit of competition.

The success of French esports players

When asked about the key factors behind the French Football Federation’s (FFF) success in nurturing top-performing esports players, Kamkar emphasized that France benefits from a naturally strong foundation.

“(…) we are fortunate to have an existing, qualified player base in France for this game, strengthened by the presence of successful influencers and streamers who contribute to the excitement and overall performance.

Kamkar also highlighted that the esports sector is not yet at peak maturity but has a reasonable structure that continues to grow and progress “with existing competitions organized by both the publisher and other organizations. What was decisive for the FFF was to develop ‘eFoot’ esports as a discipline recognized by the federation and to progressively structure it at the local level: clubs, departmental (districts), and regional (leagues). We have therefore structured the development of this practice in a way that both meets the expectations of existing players and grows the base of interested participants.”

The development of football esports within the FFF

But how did the FFF achieved this? How did the federation manage to turn their vision into an organized, sustainable, and community-oriented model that would foster professionals?

“To create a favorable ecosystem for this development, the FFF organized itself by mobilizing a committee of elected officials dedicated to the discipline and dividing responsibilities between the amateur football department and the marketing department. Finally, the FFF has chosen to treat esports players in the same way as its other national teams. A coach is appointed to design the selected squad (often based on tournaments) and is responsible for contributing to individual performance and mostly team cohesion. Players benefit from optimal training conditions during gatherings at the National Football Center (Clairefontaine), just like the other teams.”

This approach has not only raised the competitive standard of France’s esports players but has also firmly embedded eFoot within the broader framework of national football.

The FFF and its vision onto grassroots programs and development

With these solid foundations in place, the FFF has remained well-equipped to expand its reach and impact at the grassroots level. That effort paid off with global recognition: in 2023, France was awarded the FIFAe Best Grassroots Program Award. So, what inspired the FFF to develop such a successful program?

“Driven by a spirit of innovation, a desire to target a younger audience, and a will to position itself as a pioneering federation, the FFF has successfully created an attractive offering, supported by interest from its sponsors (…). The program has been built gradually over the seasons since 2019, with close collaboration and involvement from leagues, districts, and clubs in the competition structure. We also aimed to create a link with traditional football, with a calendar aligned with the Coupe de France and trophy presentations at the Stade de France. The program meets players’ expectations by offering them a national tournament. It relies on the combined expertise of the marketing department (strategy, communication, event servicing, production) and the amateur football department (competition organization, practice development, and local governance coordination).”

The close collaboration between disciplines within the FFF has enabled the federation to deliver a cohesive experience that resonates with both players and fans. It reflects a broader vision of tradition and innovation within a competitive structure.

The value of esports within the federation

When asked whether esports hold a similar strategic value to the federation as traditional disciplines like futsal or 11-a-side football, Kamkar responded:

“eFoot is recognized as a practice at the FFF. A long-term structure has been established in collaboration with leagues, districts, and clubs, with championships embedded within the FFF ecosystem. Likewise, the FFF aims to maintain its national selections in competitions organized by international bodies. Esports is also actively promoted among partners, although its business model still needs to be refined and validated for the coming years.”

Passion and promotion of football as a way to reach the audience

The promotion of football esports among stakeholders continues to develop and continues to positively grow. But what fuels the strong bond between French players and fans when it comes to esports? According to Kamkar:

“eFoot is a popular and accessible discipline, especially appreciated by football-loving audiences aged 15 to 30. Esports culture in France is growing, and the FFF’s marketing and promotional efforts have played a significant role in strengthening this image. Our communication strategy focuses on increasing awareness of the discipline and creating stars out of its top players.”

The message from the FFF

Finally, when asked what message the FFF hopes to convey to both aspiring and professional players in the esports scene, Kamkar stated:

“As a Federation, it’s essential that our efforts to contribute to the development of the discipline and the recognition of its players be acknowledged. We aim to remain legitimate within the eFoot universe, with a professional, supportive, and structured approach. Moreover, through esports, the FFF seeks to convey a modern and innovative image.”

At the heart of the FFF’s esports journey lies a blend of vision, structure, and above all, passion. Through years of hard work, collaboration, and a deep respect for the players and the game, the federation has created more than just a program: it has built a thriving, inclusive, and competitive culture. By recognizing eFoot as a legitimate discipline, supporting grassroots development, and treating its players with the same care as traditional athletes, the FFF is setting a powerful example of what a modern sports institution can achieve. As the world of football esports continues to expand, the FFF’s dedication ensures that France remains not only a leader in performance, but also an example of innovation, community, and heart.

About France and FIFAe

Over the years, the FFF has established itself as a key player within the FIFAe ecosystem, consistently delivering strong performances and fostering a passionate esports community. This success is no coincidence: it stems from the French Football Federation’s strategic investment in the eFoot program, its grassroots initiatives, and its commitment to treating esports with the same professionalism as traditional football.

The results are evident in FIFAe competitions. The FFF has always been an important contributor of the global football esports scene and has had remarkable success stories such as the one of Bruce Grannec, the 2009 and 2013 Champion of the FIFAe World Cup; or the semi-finalist French squad of 2023 in the FIFAe Nations Cup™. The FFF’s commitment with improving visibility and inclusion was also evidenced by the participation of their representative, Exode, in the FAMEHERGAME Bootcamp, a FIFAe initiative aimed at promoting and empowering women in the ecosystem.

But moreover, the FFF has also made sure to expand horizons and ensure noteworthy participation within different titles. For example, in the FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League where they got to be the runner-ups; or their commendable participation in the FIFAe World Cup™ ft. Football Manager with Florian Gripon; and the FIFAe World Cup™ ft. eFootball™ in 2024 with Kams10_, Lotfi and BMSJOEL94 (present in both competitions)

The Federation’s achievements and efforts on nurturing local talent highlight the country's dedication to innovation, structure, and player development. Through vision and sustained effort, France has become a respected and influential force in the world of FIFAe.