Wenger weighs FIFA presidential bid as Infantino’s allies rally

Arsène Wenger is expected to decide this week whether to challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency, with UEFA among those encouraging him to stand, according to The Athletic.The former Arsenal manager has served as FIFA’s chief of global football development since November 2019, and his contract is due to expire at the end of the year.Wenger distanced himself from FIFA Forward Enterprise in August, saying he had no role in developing the proposal and learnt of it through media reports.He said in a statement on August 4: “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.”The abandoned proposal would have brought private investors into a company overseeing FIFA’s event and commercial operations, including the World Cup, and drew opposition from UEFA, Concacaf and initially the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).The AFC reversed its position last month and endorsed Infantino, while the Caribbean Football Union announced its backing on November 6 after consulting its members, 25 of which are eligible to vote.Hashem Haidar, an AFC vice-president and president of the Lebanese Football Federation, told AFP at an event in Lebanon on November 9 that he considered Infantino’s re-election “a foregone conclusion."Haidar also questioned whether Kozo Tashima, the honorary president of the Japan Football Association and a FIFA Council member, could build enough support outside his own region after announcing his intention to run last week.Haidar said: “We fully and publicly support Infantino. “Kozo Tashima might get a few votes, but it will be difficult for him to compete, as the FIFA presidency requires maintaining relationships in all regions of the world.”Former Switzerland international Ramon Vega has also declared his intention to run, with prospective candidates needing the backing of at least five FIFA member associations to make the ballot.The Athletic reported that UEFA is also speaking to other potential candidates and that any endorsement would require approval from its executive committee and the backing of European national associations.FIFA is understood to want Wenger to extend his contract, although a campaign against its sitting president would raise questions about whether he could continue in his development role while presenting an alternative agenda for the organisation.FIFA’s 211 member associations are due to elect the president at its Congress in Rabat, Morocco, on March 18, 2027.