FIFA: Gianni Infantino's project, Arsène Wenger under fire

The former Arsenal man at the heart of the controversy

World Today at 14:28

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FIFA: Gianni Infantino's project, Arsène Wenger under fire

Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger now finds himself at the center of the storm rocking FIFA in recent days.

While FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing mounting backlash after shelving his FIFA Forward Enterprise project, many football observers believe that the ex-Arsenal boss—now FIFA’s chief of global football development—played a key role in driving this strategy to further boost football’s commercial reach. Wenger’s close relationship with the FIFA president is now being sharply criticized, according to The Telegraph.

“Wenger, a man positioned by his supporters as a moral compass and faithful protector of the game, is closely associated with those seeking to change the sport forever in pursuit of financial gain.

“Will he remain on this side of the fence, loyal to Infantino? Or will he, too,… pic.twitter.com/SixmMAg6jT
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) August 2, 2026

The collaboration between the two men has significantly tarnished the reputation Wenger built over his long years at Arsenal. Many now see the French tactician’s support of Gianni Infantino’s reforms as making him one of the main architects of a vision for football that’s increasingly focused on profitability and commercial revenue, rather than sporting interests.

This shift is fueling the current criticism of FIFA’s leadership.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.