Macron offers to back Arsène Wenger in challenge to Gianni Infantino at FIFA

Macron's offer to back Wenger

The Telegraph reported on 12 November that French president Emmanuel Macron (48) has offered to support Arsène Wenger (77) if the former Arsenal manager stands against Gianni Infantino (56) for the FIFA presidency. According to the report, Macron would lobby other heads of state and government on Wenger's behalf and has approached his compatriot to persuade him to enter the race. Wenger has not yet decided whether to run and has not spoken publicly about the speculation. Der Tagesspiegel, citing the German Press Agency DPA and The Athletic, said a decision from Wenger was expected during the week of 9 November.

Deadline and the rival field

Candidacies must be filed by Wednesday, 18 November. Infantino is seeking a fourth term, and so far only Kozo Tashima, a Japanese FIFA Council member, and former Swiss international Ramon Vega have declared alongside him. Tashima is not seen as having a real chance of being elected. UEFA, one of Infantino's sharpest critics, has not yet put forward its own candidate, although reports say it could back Wenger among other possible names. Reports also say Infantino has recently gained support from Africa, Asia and South America, which could give him a majority.

Doubts about Macron's involvement

A source familiar with the discussions told the Telegraph that Macron has offered his help but that there are concerns about it. Hostility toward former colonial power France in parts of Africa could weigh on Wenger, the source said, and campaigning in West Africa could damage his prospects. Die Welt recalls that Macron's relations with former colonies have worsened during his almost ten years in office, and that in 2025 he was accused of insulting all Africans. The same report says Paris has lost influence in Mali, Niger, Ivory Coast and Chad to Russia and China.

Wenger's ties to FIFA and the investor plan

Wenger coached Arsenal for more than 20 years before retiring in 2018 and joining FIFA in 2019, when Infantino brought him in as director of global football development. He works at the Zurich headquarters alongside Infantino, and his FIFA contract ends at the end of this year, with an extension uncertain if he runs. Wenger publicly criticised Infantino's investor plan for the World Cup in the summer. That plan was abandoned in August after three continental confederations rejected it and UEFA threatened to boycott FIFA competitions. Wenger had earlier championed a World Cup every two years and backed the expansion to 48 teams, and European football officials reportedly pressed him over six weeks to run.

Election timetable

The FIFA presidential election is set for March 2027, at a congress that Der Tagesspiegel places on 18 March in Rabat, Morocco. The number of candidates remains open until the filing deadline, since UEFA has yet to name its own. Wenger's decision is expected before that deadline, and the field will only be clear once filings close.