FIFA Presidency Crisis: Arsène Wenger Could Challenge Gianni Infantino

Gianni Infantino avoided roughly €3.6 million in U.S. taxes over a three-year period because FIFA covered his obligations, according to an investigation published by Le Monde et The New York Times.

The financial disclosure adds to a growing wave of pressure surrounding the 56-year-old Swiss leader following the North American World Cup, amid questions over tournament management, relations with Donald Trump, and a controversial plan to create FIFA Forward Enterprise.

The governance of the global football body faced widespread criticism during the tournament due to multiple friction points, including the handling of the Iranian national team, the canceled red card for Folarin Balogun, the expulsion of Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, and the implementation of cooling breaks designed to favor advertisements.

Further controversy erupted after the competition when Infantino moved to establish a subsidiary valued at approximately $20 billion to sell roughly 20 percent of commercial activities to private investors. The initiative sparked a strong backlash from UEFA representatives, who submitted 42 questions to Infantino and sought to file a complaint in Switzerland against the FIFA president.

Candidates Emerge for the 2027 FIFA Congress Election

The election is scheduled to take place during the 77th FIFA Congress on March 18, 2027, in Rabat, Morocco, with the deadline for candidacies set for November 18.

Potential challengers such as PSG president Nasser al-Khelaïfi and UEFA head Aleksander Ceferin have declined to run, leaving Japanese Football Association honorary president Kozo Tashima and former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega as emerging candidates whose lack of notoriety could hinder them against an incumbent who retains strong backing, particularly in Africa.

FIFA paid $4 million in taxes for Infantino: The financial transparency controversy

Arsène Wenger Weighs Potential Candidacy

Arsène Wenger could reshape the upcoming election. The current FIFA global football development director and former Arsenal manager has distanced himself from Infantino following recent revelations. At 77 years old, Wenger is weighing a potential candidacy to challenge Infantino, who has held the presidency since 2016.

If he decides to run and succeeds, Wenger could become the first Frenchman to lead FIFA since World Cup founder Jules Rimet, though it remains unknown whether he will ultimately enter the race.