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Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has backed FIFA’s decision to abandon President Gianni Infantino’s controversial proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup, describing the move as “absolutely necessary and beyond question.”
Wenger, who serves as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, became the latest prominent football figure to criticise the abandoned plan, which had drawn widespread opposition from football stakeholders across Europe and beyond.
Infantino’s proposal involved selling a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup to private equity investors through FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a move aimed at generating additional revenue from major competitions, including future Club World Cups.
However, the idea triggered significant backlash, with several continental football bodies rejecting the initiative. UEFA, European football’s governing body, had warned that it could boycott FIFA competitions if the plan moved forward, while European clubs also raised concerns over the potential impact on existing commercial agreements.
Following the mounting pressure, FIFA withdrew the proposal, a decision Wenger said was the right step.
“The recent events at FIFA deserve some clarity from my side,” Wenger said in a statement.
The Frenchman clarified that he had not been involved in developing the strategy and only learned about the project through media reports.
“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,” he said.
Wenger added that the withdrawal of the plan was necessary because FIFA’s future depended on transparency and independence.
“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,” he stated.
His comments came after FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour claimed that staff at the organisation had been “deceived” over the proposal.
The controversy has also affected Infantino’s political standing ahead of his expected bid for a final term as FIFA president in March. Several football associations have reportedly withdrawn their backing, including the Football Association of Wales, while the English Football Association is expected to formally communicate a similar position.
UEFA has welcomed the scrapping of the FFE plan but said it had “lost confidence” in Infantino’s leadership. Infantino will need at least 106 votes from FIFA’s 211 member associations to secure re-election.
