Arsene Wenger considers running for FIFA presidency
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, 77, is seriously considering running against Gianni Infantino in the upcoming FIFA presidential election.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is considering running for the FIFA presidency.
- Wenger, 77, faces questions about long-term leadership but has backing from key European figures.
- The deadline for candidates to confirm their run against Gianni Infantino is November 18.
- Infantino recently faced major backlash over a controversial World Cup investment plan.
The global football landscape is witnessing potential seismic shifts as former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger contemplates a dramatic entry into the race for the FIFA presidency, challenging incumbent Gianni Infantino for the top job in world football governance.
For several weeks, influential figures within European football have expressed strong hopes that the 77-year-old Frenchman would enter the electoral contest. While his advanced age raises natural questions regarding long-term leadership continuity, some key supporters have indicated they would welcome a victory followed by a shortened tenure before completing a full four-year term.
Photo by Bence Balla-Schottner / Unsplash
Infantino's leadership was recently plunged into deep crisis following widespread backlash over an abandoned plan to sell commercial stakes in the World Cup to private investors. Although the current president retains robust backing across South America, Africa, and Asia, insisting he holds the support of the vast majority of global football, that coalition could fracture if Wenger enters the ballot.
Wenger, currently serving as FIFA's head of global development, would command the backing of UEFA, which has spearheaded the institutional opposition against Infantino. The candidate confirmation deadline is set for November 18 ahead of the election in March, joining earlier announced challengers such as former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega and Japan Football Association honorary president Kozo Tashima.
"I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports."
Arsene Wenger
Amid the fallout surrounding the contentious Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal, Wenger distanced himself from the aborted scheme. He asserted that the withdrawal of the project was an absolute necessity driven by a commitment to an independent governing body operating with transparency and integrity.
Arsene Wenger's potential candidacy highlights deep structural and governance friction within international football administration. His reputation for global development and long-standing credibility provides a stark contrast to the commercial controversies of the current administration, signaling that institutional reform and transparency will likely dominate the upcoming electoral debate.
Source: BBC Sport
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