Infantino opponents hope to persuade Wenger to enter FIFA election

Opponents of FIFA president Gianni Infantino are considering Arsène Wenger as a possible challenger in the March 2027 election. Media reports citing The Times say they hope to persuade the former Arsenal manager to stand.

The reporting concerns efforts to find a candidate rather than an announced Wenger campaign. İdman.Biz notes that the Frenchman has not publicly declared an intention to run.

The election will take place on March 18, 2027, in Rabat, Morocco. FIFA has confirmed the date and location of its 77th congress. Reports discussing Wenger’s potential candidacy give November 18 as the nomination deadline.

Infantino has stated that he intends to seek re-election and, according to the reports, remains the only announced candidate. Discussion of an alternative comes amid criticism of his leadership by football associations.

Wenger, 76, managed Arsenal from 1996 to 2018. He has served as FIFA’s chief of global football development since 2019.