Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has welcomed FIFA’s decision to abandon its controversial private investment proposal, insisting withdrawing the plan was “absolutely necessary” following widespread opposition across world football.
The Frenchman, who has served as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development since 2019, issued a statement after governing body president Gianni Infantino dropped the proposal amid mounting criticism.
The plan would have created a commercial subsidiary to oversee FIFA’s flagship competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups, with outside investors able to purchase stakes in the business.
FIFA’s 211 member associations had each been offered around $40 million (£30 million) in return for backing the proposal.
However, the idea sparked fierce resistance from across the football landscape.
UEFA’s 55 member associations reportedly threatened to boycott FIFA competitions if the proposal went ahead, while several senior football figures questioned whether private investment would undermine the governing body’s independence.
Faced with growing opposition, FIFA withdrew the proposal before any formal vote could take place.
Wenger has now publicly distanced himself from the initiative, stressing that he had no involvement in developing the strategy.
“The recent events at FIFA deserve some clarity from my side,” Wenger said. “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, because I firmly believe in an independent FIFA that serves our game with commitment, transparency and integrity.”
The statement marks one of Wenger’s strongest public interventions since taking up his executive role at FIFA.
The former Arsenal boss has previously supported several major reforms under Infantino’s leadership, including the ultimately unsuccessful proposal to stage the men’s World Cup every two years.
The investment controversy has nevertheless become one of FIFA’s most significant governance challenges in recent years.
Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino’s senior adviser on global strategy and governance, resigned following the backlash, describing the proposal as “a bad deal for football” that would have risked mortgaging the sport’s future.
Although Wenger has firmly rejected any association with the abandoned plan, he remains a central figure within FIFA through his work on global football development, youth competitions and technical innovation.
The 76-year-old continues to play a leading role in shaping football’s future, but his latest comments underline his belief that the game’s governing body must remain independent and accountable despite increasing commercial pressures.