FIFA elections: Wenger withdraws, UEFA seeks alternative to Infantino

Wenger has ruled out running for FIFA presidency; UEFA now seeks an alternative candidate to challenge Infantino before the November 18 deadline.

Arsène Wenger has decided not to run for FIFA president, closing off what had been UEFA's preferred option to challenge incumbent Gianni Infantino. Several European nations, including the French Football Federation, had pushed Wenger to stand as the anti-Infantino candidate, but he has now withdrawn from consideration.

UEFA must now find another challenger before the November 18 candidacy deadline. Sandor Csanyi, a European member of FIFA's council and president of the Hungarian Football Federation, has been mentioned as a possible alternative, though no decision has been made. The path to re-election has effectively cleared for Infantino unless UEFA can unite behind another name.