Arsene Wenger, Gianni Infantino, FIFA and UEFA
10 November 2026
Arsene Wenger is seriously considering challenging Gianni Infantino in FIFA’s presidential election in March 2027. The former Arsenal manager, now FIFA’s head of global development, has yet to decide whether to run, with candidates facing a deadline of 18 November.
Senior European football figures have encouraged Wenger following backlash over Infantino’s abandoned proposal to sell commercial World Cup stakes. UEFA is expected to support Wenger if he enters, but Infantino still has backing across Africa, Asia and South America.
Why It Matters
Wenger's potential candidacy could create a significant challenge to Infantino's leadership amid growing scrutiny of FIFA's governance and commercial decisions.