Arsene Wenger not expected to run against Gianni Infantino to be FIFA president

Wenger has decided against running for FIFA president despite lobbying from UEFA and other stakeholders.

Arsene Wenger will not challenge Gianni Infantino in FIFA's upcoming presidential election, sources have told The Athletic. The 77-year-old, who has served as FIFA's chief of global football development since 2019, had been encouraged to run by key figures in football including UEFA ahead of the November 18 deadline for candidacy.

Wenger informed European football's governing body of his decision not to stand. His contract with FIFA expires at the end of the year, though the organisation is keen to extend his tenure in his current role. Had he chosen to run, his position would likely have been complicated as he would have needed to campaign on an alternative agenda to Infantino's.

Infantino's presidency has faced intense scrutiny following the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which would have sold stakes in the organisation's commercial operations to private investors. Wenger had distanced himself from the plan in August, stating he was "not involved" in its conception.

Other challengers have already emerged: former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega and Japan Football Association president Kozo Tashima have both announced their intention to stand.