Arsene Wenger takes aim at Infantino: Arsenal legend targets FIFA presidency
Arsene Wenger will decide by next week whether or not to challenge Gianni Infantino to become the new president of FIFA.
The next election for FIFA's top job takes place in 2027, but candidates must submit their intentions to run before 18 November, which gives Wenger around 11 days to formally submit his candidacy.
Infantino's popularity as FIFA president is at an all-time low after a series of controversies over the past year. Football's governing body is supposed to be a politically neutral organisation so his increasingly close relationship with Donald Trump has been scrutinised, particularly after FIFA intervened to overturn USMNT striker Folarin Balogun's suspension during the 2026 World Cup.
What made his position untenable, in the eyes of many, including UEFA, was his FIFA Forward Enterprise proposals that would have seen private equity firms earn shares in the World Cup. Those plans proved universally unpopular, and he was forced to scrap them after a couple of days.
Despite the raft of negative headlines surrounding his presidency, he has already announced his intention to run again next year.
UEFA and other bodies have been busy looking for candidates to go against him and one man who has already thrown his name in the hat is Japan Football Association honorary president and FIFA council member, Kozo Tashima.
Wenger, however, could prove to be the biggest threat.
French outlet L'Equipe reports that the former Arsenal manager has plenty of internal support from within FIFA to challenge Infantino for the presidency.
The publication writes: "For more than two months, Wenger has been torn over the decision. One day, he feels a sense of duty to prevent Infantino from remaining in charge for another four years, increasingly disillusioned with the current leadership. The next, he is ready to walk away, convinced that it is impossible to fight against the extensive network of patronage built by FIFA’s president. He also questions whether the role is too far removed from football itself, which is his true area of expertise."
Wenger is currently FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, a position he has held since November 2019, following his departure from football management with the Gunners.
The Frenchman and Infantino are colleagues and reportedly used to work closely together, but Wenger was unhappy with the failed FFE plans and claimed he heard about them through the media like everyone else. The lack of transparency from the FIFA president over those plans was one of the major criticisms regarding the situation.
“At FIFA, I am the Chief of Global Football Development," he said, as reported by Ben Jacobs.
“Together with my team, I oversee the data analysis of the game, the FIFA online training centre, the development of youth education through 60 academies across 60 countries where they are most needed, and youth competitions around the world.
“In addition, I am a technical adviser to IFAB.
“I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports.
“The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question, because I firmly believe in an independent FIFA that serves our game with commitment, transparency, and integrity.”
Some FIFA members believe Wenger would be perfect for the role due to the respect he holds in confederations around the world, not just in Europe but in the likes of Asia and Africa also.
L'Equipe reports that, as he is 77 years old, it is likely he would serve just one four-year term in office.
The publication suggests that Wenger is leaning more towards running after being persuaded by FIFA officials.
