Thierry Henry has told players they have more power than they think to change how football works, as Fifa continues to face scrutiny over recent scandals.
The former Arsenal, Barcelona and France forward was speaking to the Guardian alongside Kate Scott and Jamie Carragher, as CBS and Paramount prepare for this season's Champions League broadcasts.
Players' power
“For me, the players have more power than they think they have,” Henry said. “And if they want it to change, they can make it happen – especially nowadays.”
Fifa has faced criticism following multiple scandals surrounding the 2026 World Cup, including reports of Gianni Infantino's effort to sell the World Cup's commercial rights. Uefa has been exploring potential legal options against Infantino.
Super League comparison
Scott, who anchors the CBS panel with Henry, Carragher and Micah Richards, spoke about the 2021 Super League project and its fallout. She compared the current Fifa situation to the Super League saga.
“I think it's going to be really interesting to see [what comes next],” Scott said. “I think probably a large portion of world football has come to a point where they would like to see a change in [the Fifa presidency], similarly to the way we felt about [the Super League] … I think if you're invested in the game and you love the game, it just kind of leaves a bad taste.”
Infantino's position
Infantino has been re-elected twice since 2016 without a challenger. The next vote is scheduled for 18 March 2027, with no alternative candidate having declared.
“I have no idea which way that will go, because obviously one thing that Gianni Infantino has proven to be within world football is a very smart power broker and has understood how to make allies, use those allies to his benefit,” Scott said.
Henry reiterated that players should be a bigger part of the conversation. “Players have all the power if they want to, and sometimes they don't, I think, use it or realize actually the power that they have,” he said. “You guys in the US know fully well: when the player wants to do something, the league listens. You saw it with the NBA. You saw it with the NFL … At one point, the players are always on the side: go entertain, take your money, leave.
“Us debating about it here, what's going to change? We can all have a view whether it's a good one or a bad one … But for me, the players have more power than they think they have. And if they want it to change, they can make it happen – especially nowadays.”
