Senior figures in European football want Arsene Wenger to challenge Gianni Infantino in the 2027 FIFA presidential election, BBC Sport reports.

Wenger has yet to indicate whether he intends to run, while FIFA declined to comment when approached by the BBC.

The election is scheduled to take place in Rabat on 18 March 2027, with nomination deadline set for 18 November 2026. Former Tottenham Hotspur and Switzerland defender Ramon Vega is the only person to have declared an intention to challenge Infantino so far.

Why Arsene Wenger Is Being Considered as an Infantino Challenger

The Times reported that opponents of Infantino are trying to persuade Wenger to stand. The former Arsenal manager joined FIFA in 2019, a year after leaving Arsenal, and was appointed Chief of Global Football Development.

Wenger oversees FIFA’s youth development work, including a programme involving 60 academies across 60 countries and youth competitions worldwide. He also serves as a technical adviser to the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

Calls for Wenger to challenge Infantino come amid criticism of the FIFA president over the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan. The proposal would have allowed private investors to buy a 20 per cent stake in a new commercial entity.

UEFA’s lawyers named Wenger among 18 FIFA officials whose relevant records should be preserved as part of the scrutiny surrounding the FFE plan. In a statement on 4 August, Wenger said he had no involvement in the proposal and first learned of it through media reports.

He described FIFA’s decision to withdraw it as "absolutely necessary and beyond question."

"I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports," Wenger said in a statement.

"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."

Those backing a potential Wenger candidacy believe his standing in football and contacts outside Europe could help him challenge Infantino.

One senior official at a European association told BBC Sport that Wenger "genuinely loves the game" and remains respected in Asia following his time coaching in Japan.

His supporters believe that reputation could help him secure votes beyond Europe, as a challenger would need support from FIFA member associations across multiple regions to mount a serious campaign. Wenger also has links to Africa, where Infantino enjoys strong support.

Read More: Who Could Replace Gianni Infantino As FIFA President?

Requirements to Challenge Infantino in the 2027 FIFA Presidential Election

Any candidate must be proposed by a FIFA member association and secure written backing from at least five of FIFA’s 211 member associations before the deadline. Candidates must also have played an active role in football for at least two of the previous five years and pass an eligibility check.

Vega announced his intention to stand on 7 October. He told Spanish newspaper El Pais that he already had the required backing but would not identify the associations involved.

Vega previously tried to enter the presidential race in 2015, 2019 and 2022 but failed to secure the support needed to become a candidate. It remains to be seen whether his latest attempt will progress beyond his declaration of intent.

Several other figures linked with a possible challenge have ruled themselves out or chosen to pursue leadership roles within their own confederations.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, who had ruled out challenging Infantino, announced on 8 October that he would seek another term at UEFA instead.

Concacaf president Victor Montagliani has also indicated that he will seek re-election to his current position, ending speculation that he might enter the Fifa race.

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser al-Khelaïfi has also ruled himself out of contention, according to the Associated Press.

"I have zero interest in FIFA, zero agenda (or) ambition to be there," Al-Khelaifi said.

"I don't think I'm the right guy for this position and I don't want to go actually, I'm enjoying what I'm doing," the president of Champions League title holder PSG said. "I think FIFA's not for me. Thank you."