French President Emmanuel Macron has offered to lobby world leaders to support Arsène Wenger for the FIFA presidency, according to reports.

Macron has contacted his compatriot to urge him to announce a bid that aims to replace current FIFA leader Gianni Infantino. European football officials have spent the last six weeks pushing the former Arsenal manager to run, as reported by The Telegraph.

Should Macron publicly express his support, he would become Wenger’s most influential backer, though it remains unclear whether Wenger will accept the French president’s offer of assistance and ultimately enter the race.

Candidacies for the FIFA presidency must be submitted by November 18. Wenger previously condemned Infantino’s abandoned plan for the commercialization of the World Cup.

UEFA has not yet named a candidate but would back Wenger if he enters the race, though UEFA is not actively working to prompt his candidacy. If Wenger declines to run, UEFA plans to support Kozo Tashima, the chairman of the Japan Football Association.

Potential reservations surround Macron’s involvement due to anti-French sentiment across parts of Africa. A source familiar with the talks told The Telegraph that Macron has offered help, but acknowledged that campaigning in West Africa could prove disadvantageous for Wenger.

In the nearly ten years of his presidency, Macron’s relationships with former colonies have deteriorated, with accusations in 2025 that he insulted all Africans after claiming leaders on the continent forgot to thank France for military operations to combat insurgencies. Paris has also lost influence in former colonies including Mali, Niger, the Ivory Coast, and Chad, where it was outmaneuvered by Russia and China.

“He has offered his help, but there are concerns,” a source told The Telegraph. “Should he campaign in West Africa, it could prove disadvantageous for Wenger.”

Wenger would need to secure votes from African football federations to challenge Infantino. Infantino has spent considerable time lobbying across the African continent and the Middle East to secure the 106 votes required for his reelection.

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