Arsène Wenger works for FIFA, and he is thinking about standing against Infantino for its presidency

Arsène Wenger works for FIFA, and he is now thinking about running against its president. BBC Sport reported on Tuesday, 10 November, that the former Arsenal manager is seriously considering a challenge to Gianni Infantino in the election in March, after weeks of senior figures in European football urging him to stand.

He has not decided. People close to him told the BBC that they still see Infantino as the favourite to win a fourth and final term. He does not have long. Candidates have until 18 November to confirm they are standing, and each one needs nominations from five FIFA member associations and then has to pass an eligibility check.

Why Wenger would be a different kind of opponent

Ramon Vega and Kozo Tashima have already put their names forward. Wenger would be a much bigger problem for Infantino. He has been FIFA’s chief of global football development since 2019, so he knows the building, and the BBC says he would have UEFA behind him. UEFA has led the opposition to Infantino since the collapse of FIFA Forward Enterprise, the plan to sell private investors a stake in FIFA’s commercial rights, the World Cup included.

Wenger had usually been loyal to Infantino, but he kept his distance from that plan once it fell apart. “I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports,” he said at the time, adding that withdrawing it was “absolutely necessary and beyond question”.

The age question, and the votes

The obvious objection is his age. Wenger is 77. Some of his supporters have told the BBC they would be happy for him to win and then stand down before the end of a four-year term. That is an odd pitch for a candidate, but it tells you how badly some of them want Infantino out.

The numbers are still against him. Each of FIFA’s 211 associations has one vote. Infantino has the backing of all 54 African members after promising them more funding, and the Asian Football Confederation, which counts India among its members, endorsed him at its congress in Tokyo on 23 October. He says he has the “vast, vast majority” of world football with him.

Africa is not a lost cause for Wenger, though. He was known as a champion of African players at Arsenal, and his support for the 48-team World Cup, pitched as a way to spread the game beyond its traditional powers, went down well there. He brings some baggage too. His proposals for a World Cup every two years and a “daylight” offside law both caused rows.

A lecturer wants in as well

Wenger is not the only late name. Peter Auf der Heyde, a South African who lectures in journalism at Southampton Solent University and used to be sports editor at the German news agency dpa, is also chasing the five nominations. He says Infantino earned around $6 million last year and that he would take $1 a year if elected. He also wants an “emerging nations World Cup” for countries that will never qualify for the real one.

The vote is at the FIFA Congress in Rabat on 18 March 2027. If Wenger is on the list when nominations close on 18 November, Infantino has a proper race on his hands. If he isn’t, it is hard to see who beats him.

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