Arsène Wenger considers challenge to Gianni Infantino for FIFA presidency

Wenger weighs a bid

Arsène Wenger, the 77-year-old former Arsenal manager, is considering whether to stand for the FIFA presidency, the Press Association reported on Sunday, 8 November 2026. He is one of several potential candidates UEFA could back as a credible alternative to Gianni Infantino, the 56-year-old incumbent who wants a fourth term. Wenger has not decided whether to enter the race and is not UEFA's preferred option, with other individuals still being assessed. His reputation in football and his knowledge of FIFA's administration, gained as chief of global football development since 2019, would make him a formidable challenger if he runs.

The FFE plan that weakened Infantino

Infantino's standing was damaged over the summer when plans emerged to sell a minority stake in Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), a company set up to handle World Cup competitions, to private investors. Three continental confederations, including UEFA, rejected the scheme. Infantino later abandoned it, but UEFA said it had lost confidence in him and has since looked for a candidate able to beat him. Wenger addressed the plan on 4 August 2026, saying he had not been involved and had first learned of it from the news.

“The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question.”

Wenger added that he firmly believes in an independent FIFA that serves football with commitment, transparency and integrity.

Rival candidates and the deadline

Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japanese Football Association and a FIFA Council member since 2015, announced in early November 2026 that he will run. Former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega, a Swiss, has also declared a candidacy. Candidates must register with FIFA by 18 November 2026 and secure the backing of five federations. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has said he is not interested in standing himself, so the European search continues. UEFA's executive committee and member associations are expected to meet in the week of 9 November 2026 to discuss who Europe should support.

Infantino's support base

Infantino has regained ground and gathered backing from Africa, Asia, Oceania and South America. On 6 November 2026 the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) also backed him, a decision that goes against the position taken earlier by its umbrella body CONCACAF. The CFU has 31 members, 25 of which can vote in the FIFA presidential election. Infantino made two recent trips to the Caribbean to seek votes. The Asian Football Confederation had also sharply criticised the FFE plan but remains loyal to him.

Timeline ahead

The key dates run from Wenger's comments on 4 August 2026 to the election on 18 March 2027 in Rabat. Between them lie the UEFA meetings expected in the week of 9 November and the candidacy deadline of 18 November 2026.

Any declaration by Wenger would need to come before that deadline, while Tashima and Vega have already announced their runs.