European leaders are pressing the former Arsenal manager to stand, but he has not decided and candidates must declare by 18 November.
Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is weighing up whether to stand against FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the Press Association understands, as reported by The Independent. Wenger, 77, is one of several possible candidates UEFA could endorse, but he is not currently viewed as the preferred choice, and he remains undecided on whether to launch a bid.
Per BBC Sport on Tuesday, insiders around Wenger say he is considering the idea seriously. Those wanting to run must put their candidacy on record by 18 November. Voting is scheduled for 18 March 2027, held at the FIFA Congress in Morocco's Rabat.
Senior European football figures have been urging him to enter the race for several weeks, Punch reports, and Goal says UEFA is leading the lobbying. The governing body said it had "lost confidence" in Infantino.
The controversy started when a proposal surfaced to offload a non-controlling share in FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a firm tied to the World Cup, to private backers. Three continental confederations, UEFA among them, rejected it, and Infantino later abandoned it.
On 4 August, Wenger issued a statement distancing himself from the project. "I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports," he said. He also made clear where he stood on the withdrawal:
"The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question, because I firmly believe in an independent FIFA that serves our game with commitment, transparency, and integrity."
Wenger was a notable absentee from a FIFA Management Committee meeting in Rabat on 5 August, where leaders rallied around Infantino. Goal says he had lately been photographed with the Fifa chief in Baku. Infantino has held the presidency since 2016 and, according to The Independent, has since gathered support across Africa, Asia, Oceania and South America. On Friday, the member nations of the Caribbean Football Union also backed him. He has insisted he retains the support of the "vast, vast majority" of world football, and he is set to seek re-election.
Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association, announced on Thursday that he would run. Ramon Vega, a former Tottenham defender, has also declared his interest, Punch reports.
Punch says certain supporters of Wenger have indicated they'd be willing to have him serve briefly, possibly resigning before completing a whole four-year stint. His enduring reputation, especially across Africa, is regarded as a possible asset. Goal says that although beating Infantino would be a significant challenge, Wenger would command widespread support across Europe and other confederations.
Wenger has been FIFA's chief of global football development since 2019, and his current contract expires at the end of the year. Standing for the presidency would prevent him from continuing in that role into 2027, because he would need to campaign on a distinct platform. To enter the election he would need nomination from five member associations and must pass FIFA eligibility tests, Goal reports.
A formal announcement is expected, as European football leaders wait for his answer.
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