The trend is confirmed for a great revolution in French football

For several years now, the idea of ​​a Ligue 3 has been mentioned. In short, this would allow the third division championship, currently called “National 1” and under the aegis of the FFF, to become professional and come under the flag of the LFP. In any case, this idea is gaining more and more depth since a joint press release from the presidents of the National clubs was published today.

In it, we learn of the creation of a first National college and a meeting with Philippe Diallo to formalize this L3 project. A project validated by the president of the FFF. The name “Ligue 3” could appear as early as next season but the project could officially see the light of day at the dawn of the 2026-2027 season.

The presidents of National formalize their desire to create a Ligue 3!

“The Presidents of the National Clubs met this Monday, October 7 at the French Football Federation. The objective was to take stock of the championship and to plan towards the creation of a professional Ligue 3. On this occasion, to make their action more effective, the Presidents decided to relaunch the Association of Presidents of the National and to create the first college of the National which will be responsible for reflecting on the evolution of this championship and meeting the different actors (bodies, families, clubs, media, supporters, partners, etc.).

This first college office is made up of:
President: Thierry GOMEZ (President Le Mans FC)
Vice-presidents: Philippe TERRIER (President FC Villefranche Beaujolais) and Jacques PIRIOU (President US Concarneau)
The Presidents also wished to meet Paul-Hervé Douillard, Director of the Women’s Professional Football League, to discuss the methods of creating this new league which could be the model to follow to create the professional Ligue 3 also under the aegis of the FFF.

Finally, at the end of this working day, the Presidents met with the President of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, to present the urgent points to be resolved regarding this championship (in particular fairness in the allocations, revision of the Pro club License) then present to him their project for a professional L3, the objective of which is that it sees the light of day at the latest, during the 2026/2027 season, with possibly a change of name from National to Ligue 3 from next season.

The President of the FFF confirmed his desire to support National clubs in their efforts to write the terms of creation of this Ligue 3 that French football has been waiting for almost 40 years! The Presidents of the National are united to carry out this action which is not only done for the National but for all of French Football with the aim of enabling it to be, in the coming years, even more efficient and more ambitious.”