Arsene Wenger is facing mounting pressure to challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency, as the incumbent seeks re-election amid growing criticism of his leadership.
Wenger, who has not managed since leaving Arsenal in 2018, has emerged as a potential rival to Infantino. The 57-year-old's popularity has declined since the World Cup following his controversial plan to sell stakes in future tournaments.
Pressure on Infantino
Infantino has remained defiant in the face of backlash over those plans and wants to keep his job. However, senior executives, including some from Europe, have been urging Wenger for weeks to put his name forward as the next FIFA president.
The Frenchman, along with a mystery candidate, are seen as the two men who could apply the most pressure to Infantino, according to The Telegraph. The upcoming week is crucial, with November 18 the deadline for candidates to come forward.
Alternative candidates
Should Wenger, who is now FIFA's chief of global football development, decide not to run, then UEFA, who have publicly called out Infantino, will back Kozo Tashima, the head of the Japan Football Association. Tashima has been on FIFA's ruling committee since 2015 and has said his candidacy is "not about winning or losing but about conveying to the world the honest, sound and upright attitude that Japanese football has built".
The Football Association have stated that they believe Infantino is no longer the right man to lead FIFA.
Wenger's stance and support for Infantino
Wenger publicly condemned Infantino's controversial World Cup plan, describing its abandonment as "absolutely necessary and beyond question". The issue is whether the former Arsenal boss, now 77, thinks he would be too old to run for the presidency.
Despite mass criticism, the Caribbean Football Union has confirmed it would endorse Infantino for another term after he visited the region. Support from Qatar and Saudi Arabia is aiding Infantino in his bid to secure the 106 votes he needs to be re-elected.
However, the FIFA boss has faced another difficult week after it emerged his presidential office requested VIP treatment for his daughters and their dogs on a personal trip from Miami airport to Qatar. It has raised further questions over his personal conduct and a possible abuse of his position.
Infantino was also under major scrutiny during the World Cup, with the major flashpoint being FIFA's decision to take the unprecedented step of suspending Folarin Balogun's red card after Donald Trump put in a call to Infantino.
