Senior European football figures are encouraging former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to mount a surprise campaign for the Fifa presidency, aiming to challenge incumbent Gianni Infantino ahead of next year's election.
Infantino currently appears on course to secure a fourth and final term unopposed, despite severe backlash over his aborted Fifa Forward Enterprise scheme, which sought to sell commercial stakes in the World Cup to private investors. The collapsed initiative triggered calls from football leaders in Europe, North America and Asia for Infantino to step down.
The governing body's Council convenes in Zurich on Thursday for the first time since that crisis unfolded. While Fifa is scheduled to propose a $3.4bn increase in football development funding, Infantino faces mounting scrutiny over governance, the commercial plan, the awarding of the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump, and disciplinary handling of the Folarin Balogun affair.
Wenger, 76, has served as Fifa's head of global development since 2019 and attended a dinner with Infantino and Council members in Zurich on Wednesday. Neither Wenger nor Fifa has commented on whether he is considering a bid. Any contender must formally declare by 18 November and secure nominations from at least five member associations.
Other prominent figures, including Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin and Concacaf head Victor Montagliani, have ruled themselves out of the race. To date, former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega remains the only individual to publicly announce an intention to stand.
Supporters within European national associations argue Wenger commands the global respect required to challenge Infantino, citing his reputation across Asia and Africa. Wenger, who oversees youth development programmes across 60 countries, previously distanced himself from Infantino's commercial proposal, stating: "I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports. 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."
Doubts remain over whether Wenger would run against the president who appointed him. Infantino has actively reinforced his power base across South America, Oceania and Africa, recently securing unanimous support from all 54 African member associations following promises of increased funding.
