Arsène Wenger has emerged as a potential challenger to Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency, with the deadline for nominations approaching and the former Arsenal manager still weighing up whether to enter the race.
UEFA is looking for a candidate who can win support beyond Europe after its president, Aleksander Čeferin, ruled himself out. UEFA vice-president Laura McAllister said the challenger’s identity mattered less than their ability to rally national associations behind a reform agenda.
According to Foot Mercato, citing L’Équipe, Wenger is expected to make a decision by the middle of next week after a series of meetings with backers hoping to persuade him to run, including officials within FIFA itself.
The 77-year-old Frenchman has built relationships within FIFA since his appointment as chief of global football development in 2019. His 22 years in charge of Arsenal and his popularity in Africa and Asia could also help him attract votes outside Europe.
Tensions between UEFA and Infantino intensified over a proposal to sell private investors a 20% stake in an entity that would manage the commercial rights to FIFA tournaments. FIFA dropped the plan, but European officials have continued to press for access to the documents and have also raised questions about the FIFA Peace Prize.
Despite previously opposing the commercial proposal, Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa has backed Infantino’s re-election, following endorsements from several Asian national associations, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The dispute also extends to Infantino’s eligibility to stand again. Former FIFA Governance Committee chair Miguel Maduro argues that Infantino has already reached the term limit, while the FIFA Council previously ruled that his stint from 2016 to 2019 would not count towards it.
While Wenger weighs his options, Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association, has announced his intention to run. Candidates need the backing of five national associations and must submit their nominations by 18 November, with the vote scheduled for 18 March 2027 in Rabat.
