Arsene Wenger considering shock bid to challenge Gianni Infantino for Fifa presidency

Arsene Wenger is weighing up whether to put himself forward as a candidate for the Fifa presidency, the Press Association understands. The former Arsenal manager, 77, remains in contention as one of several potential candidates Uefa could endorse as it seeks to offer a credible alternative to incumbent Gianni Infantino . However, Wenger is not currently viewed as the preferred candidate, with other individuals also under evaluation. It is understood he remains undecided over whether to launch a bid. Wenger’s reputation within football and intimate knowledge of the Fifa administration would render him a formidable challenger to Infantino should he choose to stand, with the Frenchman having served as Fifa’s chief of global football development since 2019. Uefa is expected to hold meetings of its executive committee alongside gathering its member national associations this coming week for further discussions on who should receive Europe’s backing. Infantino is set to seek re-election in March (PA) Infantino’s leadership appeared under threat in the summer after plans to sell a minority stake in a World Cup company, Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), to private investors were disclosed. The scheme was rejected by three continental confederations, including Uefa, and although Infantino subsequently abandoned it, the European governing body said it had "lost confidence" in the Swiss administrator and has since been working to identify an opponent. Wenger addressed the FFE proposal on 4 August, stating he was "not involved" in it and had first learned of the scheme through news reports. He added: "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." Meanwhile, Kozo Tashima, the honorary president of the Japanese Football Association (JFA), announced on Thursday that he would run for the presidency. Infantino, who has held the position of Fifa president since 2016, has since recovered momentum and gathered support across Africa, Asia, Oceania and South America. On Friday, he also secured the backing of member nations of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU). The election to determine the next Fifa president will take place at the Fifa Congress in Rabat, Morocco on 18 March next year.