Gianni Infantino's plans to sell stocks in the World Cup drove a wedge through football, while also placing Arsene Wenger in an uncomfortable position
FIFA president Gianni Infantino, right, and Arsene Wenger, Chief Officer (FIFA) and former soccer coach arrive for the Women's Euro 2025 quarterfinals soccer match between Sweden and England at Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich, Switzerland, Thursday, July 17, 2025
Gianni Infantino's plan for the World Cup has since been criticised by Arsene Wenger(Image: AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
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Arsene Wenger has made it clear he played no part in Gianni Infantino's plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions. During the World Cup, Wenger, who is FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development, was regularly seen alongside Infantino.
Not long after Infantino's plan to introduce a commercial subsidiary of FIFA called 'FIFA Forward Enterprise' to allow outside investors to purchase stocks in competitions affiliated with the governing body of world football, Wenger received some criticism for, what was seen by some, as silence while the plans were revealed by the media.
The widely-detested idea has since been put to rest after it received the thumbs down from UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Federation. Pressure is now mounting on in Infantino's shoulders with UEFA leading a push to force the Swiss figurehead to resign or vote him out entirely.
As this all transpires, Wenger has also spoken out against Infantino's plan while also clarifying his proximity to the reviled plan. In a recent interview, Infantino said: "The recent events at FIFA deserve some clarity from my side. At FIFA, I am the Chief of Global Football Development.
"Together with my team, I oversee the data analysis of the game, the FIFA online training centre, the development of youth education through 60 academies across 60 countries where they are most needed, and youth competitions around the world.
Arsene Wenger and Gianni Infantino. FIFA’s chief of global football development Arsene Wenger has said in a statement that the decision to withdraw from a plan to sell stakes in a World Cup company was “absolutely necessary and beyond question”.
Wenger has spoke out against Infantino's plan(Image: John Walton/PA Wire)
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"In addition, I am a technical adviser to IFAB. I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports.
"The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question. I firmly believe in an independent FIFA that serves our game with commitment, transparency, and integrity."
Wenger's opposition to the plan is the latest layer of pressure to be piled on Infantino's shoulders. UEFA recently issued a statement threatening legal action against the FIFA president.
Gianni Infantino
Gianni Infantino is under mounting pressure(Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
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It read: "UEFA puts you on formal notice that any destruction, deletion, alteration, concealment, or loss of relevant materials following receipt of this notice – or following any earlier date on which you were, or reasonably should have been, aware that proceedings were anticipated – may constitute spoliation of evidence."
The Football Association are also expected to withdraw their support for Infantino, while the Welsh Football Association and the Swedish Football Association have already done so. If Infantino does not resign, there are other mechanisms which could oust him from office.
An emergency FIFA congress to hold a vote of no confidence can be held if 20 per cent of FIFA's 211 member associations call for one. A rival to challenge Infantino in the next election could also be put up, with the deadline for doing so expiring on November 18.
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