Wenger eyes FIFA presidency

Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is considering challenging Gianni Infantino for the presidency of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), as preparations gather pace for the organisation’s March 2027 presidential election.

The 77-year-old Frenchman is giving serious consideration to entering the race after several senior figures in European football encouraged him to stand against the incumbent president.

Wenger, however, has not officially declared his candidacy, leaving uncertainty over whether he will take on the responsibility of leading world football’s governing body.

Some of his supporters believe he could offer a credible alternative to Infantino, particularly at a time when FIFA is facing criticism over its leadership, governance and commercial ambitions.

Others have questioned whether Wenger, at 77, would be suited to providing long-term leadership, although some supporters would welcome him serving a single four-year term before stepping down.

The potential challenge comes at a difficult moment for Infantino, whose position has faced increased scrutiny following the collapse of a controversial commercial investment proposal involving the FIFA World Cup.

FIFA was established in Paris, France, on May 21, 1904, by seven national football associations: Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

French journalist Robert Guérin became its first president.

The organisation has since grown into the international governing body for football, with 211 member associations across the world.

It also oversees major international competitions, including the men's and women’s FIFA World Cups.

Infantino, a Swiss-Italian lawyer born on March 23, 1970, became FIFA’s ninth president on February 26, 2016, succeeding Sepp Blatter.

Before his appointment, he spent 16 years at UEFA, where he eventually served as general secretary.

He was re-elected in 2019 and 2023, with the latter election taking place in Kigali, Rwanda.