Wenger drops out of FIFA presidency race against Infantino

Arsène Wenger will probably not stand against Gianni Infantino in the race for the FIFA presidency, set for March 18. The information, first raised by journalist Pierre Ménès following an exchange with the Alsatian, was confirmed on Saturday by L’Équipe.

Yet the candidacy of the former Arsenal manager had been seriously considered. Director of global football development at FIFA since 2019, the 77-year-old from Strasbourg had reportedly long hesitated, oscillating according to L’Équipe between enthusiasm and resignation over the days.

Two major obstacles ultimately thwarted his ambitions. The first is political: Wenger believes it would be impossible for him to counter Infantino’s “relentless clientelism” among member federations, a network of influence the incumbent president has built since his election in 2016. The second is more personal — the FIFA presidency would seem to him “too far removed from the pitch,” a domain in which he feels far more at ease.

Wenger’s probable withdrawal seriously complicates matters for UEFA, the main opponent to Infantino since the latter’s failed attempt to sell World Cup stakes to private investors. The European confederation has little time to find a credible alternative: the candidacy deadline is set for November 18. Without a heavyweight rival, Gianni Infantino is heading toward a third term without serious challenge.