Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is reportedly considering a bid to challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency in next year’s election, according to the BBC.
The 77-year-old Frenchman is giving serious consideration to entering the race following growing pressure from influential figures in European football who want him to contest the position.
Some of Wenger’s supporters have reportedly suggested they would back his candidacy even if he decided to leave the role before completing the full four-year term.
Wenger’s potential entry could present a major challenge to Infantino, whose leadership has come under scrutiny following the collapse of a proposal to sell commercial stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
The controversy has reportedly weakened Infantino’s standing in some parts of European football. However, he continues to enjoy significant support across South America, Africa and Asia.
The FIFA president recently insisted that he had the backing of the “vast, vast majority” of the global football community.
Wenger, who currently serves as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, is expected to receive support from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), which has been at the forefront of opposition to Infantino over the abandoned commercial plan.
However, sources close to the former Arsenal boss told BBC Sport that he has not yet made a final decision on whether to enter the presidential race. They also believe Infantino remains the favourite to win another term.
The deadline for candidates to formally declare their intention to challenge Infantino is November 18, with the election scheduled for March.
Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega became the first person to announce his intention to run in October, while Japan Football Association honorary president Kozo Tashima has also expressed interest in the position.
