ZURICH — Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is giving serious consideration to challenging Gianni Infantino in the upcoming FIFA presidential election, following mounting pressure from senior European football executives.
Wenger, 77, currently serves as FIFA’s head of global development. Although questions have been raised regarding his age and long-term leadership capacity, key supporters within UEFA have indicated they would back a short-term tenure aimed at restoring stability and transparency to the global governing body.
Candidates seeking to contest the March 2027 election face a strict deadline of November 18, 2026, to formally declare their intentions. Former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega and Japan Football Association honorary president Kozo Tashima have already announced their candidacies.
Infantino faces pressure over World Cup commercial plot
Infantino’s presidency has come under severe strain following widespread backlash against the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project—an aborted plan to sell commercial stakes in the FIFA World Cup to private investors.
While Infantino retains significant political backing across South America, Asia, and Africa, UEFA has spearheaded opposition to his leadership, demanding full disclosure regarding how the commercial scheme was devised.
Wenger, who previously distanced himself from the controversial plot, emphasized the need for structural integrity:
“I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports,” Wenger stated previously. “The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary… because I firmly believe in an independent FIFA that serves our game with commitment, transparency and integrity.”
Global standing and African influence
Despite the ongoing governance crisis, sources close to Wenger acknowledge that Infantino remains the favorite to secure a fourth term, backed by recent financial commitments to member associations, including a pledge of unanimous support from Africa’s 54 national federations.
However, analysts note that Wenger’s global profile could alter the electoral landscape. Revered for his historical championing of African talent during his tenure at Arsenal and his endorsement of an expanded 48-team World Cup to broaden global participation, Wenger commands considerable credibility across emerging football nations.
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