• FIFA’s chief of global football development is considering standing for president as a one-term, unity candidate, according to Inside World Football, although Wenger has not commented
• Candidates have until 18 November to declare, and each needs nominations from five member associations to stand
• Japan’s Kohzo Tashima has already declared, and Ramón Vega has said he wants to run, ahead of the vote at FIFA’s Congress in Rabat in March 2027
• Gianni Infantino is seeking a fourth and final term, which would run until 2031, after withdrawing his FIFA Forward Enterprise investment plan in July
• FIFA’s director of legal affairs, Emilio García Silvero, has left the organisation, the latest of several senior departures this year

Arsène Wenger has spent the last seven years inside FIFA as its chief of global football development, the role that has seen him lead the governing body’s work on coaching, youth competitions and the “daylight” offside proposal, and according to Inside World Football, he is now considering standing against the president he works under, Gianni Infantino, as a one-term, unity candidate, with nine days left for candidates to come forward. Neither Wenger nor FIFA has commented on the report, but to understand how a FIFA insider has come to be discussed as a possible challenger, you have to go back to the summer.

July 2026: The FIFA Forward Enterprise Plan

At the end of July, details had begun to emerge of Infantino’s FIFA Forward Enterprise, a plan to move FIFA’s commercial operations into a new company, and sell a stake of around 20% to private investors, raising $4.2bn at a valuation of $20bn, with Thrive Eternal, a fund launched by Joshua Kushner, lined up as the anchor investor and each of FIFA’s 211 member associations set to receive $20m.

The plan met strong opposition, most prominently from UEFA, which on 30 July threatened to boycott FIFA competitions if it went ahead. The following day, 31 July, Infantino withdrew it, saying: “Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions… of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place.” Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Infantino, resigned the same day.

August 2026: Wenger’s Statement

In early August, Wenger issued a statement saying he had not been involved in the plan and had learned about it through the media, adding: “The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question, because I firmly believe in an independent FIFA that serves our game with commitment, transparency, and integrity.”

September 2026: Infantino Confirms He Will Stand Again

In September, FIFA confirmed that Infantino would seek re-election in March for a fourth and final term, which would run until 2031. “Of course, nothing has changed. Mr Infantino will be standing for re-election,” a FIFA spokesperson said. Last week, the Caribbean Football Union declared its support for him.

November 2026: The Race Takes Shape

On 6 November in Tokyo, Kohzo Tashima, the former president of the Japan Football Association, announced his candidacy. “I am grateful that I can make this announcement with the full support of the JFA,” he said, adding: “It’s not about winning or losing.” Ramón Vega, the former Switzerland and Tottenham defender, has also said he intends to stand, although Inside World Football reports that he may struggle to secure the five nominations required.

On the same day, FIFA confirmed the departure of Emilio García Silvero, its director of legal affairs, who oversaw the organisation’s work on transfer and agent regulations. Inside World Football described it as the second high-profile exit since the investment plan was withdrawn, following that of Kevin Lamour.

Then, today, came the reports about Wenger. According to Inside World Football, sources within UEFA see him as a serious potential candidate, but not necessarily their preferred one, with UEFA having said it intends to back a strong and credible challenger. The Irish Times has also reported that Wenger is considering standing.

Why Wenger?

Arsène Wenger’s role since 2019 has focused on development work with member associations, the same associations who vote at Congress, and he remains active in it, attending FIFA’s Under-15 World Cup in Baku last month. As a former manager, he would bring a different background to the role from Infantino, a lawyer and former UEFA general secretary.

His positions have not always matched those of the wider game, though. As Arsenal manager, he was a critic of the international calendar and its demands on players, and his proposal to change the offside law has reportedly received limited support from IFAB‘s advisory panels. A one-term mandate would also mean another election in 2031, which some members may see as a strength and others as a weakness.

Verdict

Infantino goes into the election with clear support in parts of the world, including the Caribbean Football Union’s backing last week, and FIFA incumbents have lost only once before, when João Havelange defeated Sir Stanley Rous in 1974. At the same time, his investment plan was withdrawn in the face of strong opposition, several senior figures have left FIFA, and UEFA has said it wants a credible challenger in the race.

Whether Wenger becomes that challenger will depend on whether he declares, whether he secures five nominations, and whether UEFA and others decide to support him rather than another candidate, and all of that should be clearer by 18 November. Will Wenger put his name forward, and if he does, could a one-term unity candidate change the shape of the race?

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