Arsene Wenger mulls challenge to Gianni Infantino in FIFA presidential race

In the FIFA presidential race, Arsene Wenger is considering a challenge to incumbent Gianni Infantino, sources said on November 11, 2026. Senior figures in European football who had hoped for his candidacy say he is now seriously weighing a run.

Those close to the situation say Wenger’s age — 77 — is a concern for some observers regarding long-term leadership, though several of his fans have told reporters they would be "OK" if he won and resigned before serving the full four-year term. The potential entry has been discussed within European football circles for weeks and remains undecided, according to people with knowledge of his thinking.

Infantino’s position has been strained by the fallout from his unsuccessful attempt to offer private investors commercial shares in the World Cup, a campaign reaction the report says put his job in jeopardy. Despite that controversy, the article states Infantino continues to enjoy popularity across South America, Africa and Asia, and he recently declared that the "vast, vast majority" of football players worldwide support him.

UEFA, which the report identifies as having led resistance to Infantino, would support FIFA’s head of global development, the sources said. The piece also notes Wenger is widely respected within the football community.

Those sources told reporters Wenger, who has previously been an ally of Infantino, distanced himself from the shelved proposal amid the controversy over FFE. The report adds that in his role at FIFA Wenger has occasionally provoked debate with suggestions such as a "daylight" offside regulation and biannual World Cups.

People close to Wenger say he has not yet made up his mind about entering the race, while the same report describes Infantino as the clear favourite to secure a fourth and final term. The article states candidates must indicate by November 18 that they will challenge Infantino in the March election.

Ramon Vega, an ex-Tottenham defender, was the first to submit his name in October, and Kozo Tashima, the honorary president of the Japan Football Association, has also declared his desire to run, according to the report. With the November 18 deadline approaching, the field of challengers and any decision by Wenger will determine the lineup for the March vote.