Arsene Wenger has come under renewed criticism for his close association with Gianni Infantino, with a Daily Mail article questioning whether the former Arsenal manager is helping shape some of the FIFA president’s most contentious proposals.
Chris Wheeler, a prominent journalist at the British newspaper, argues that Wenger has moved from being regarded as “the professor” of influential football ideas to becoming one of Infantino’s most prominent supporters. Wheeler says the Frenchman has damaged his own legacy by failing to challenge what he describes as the FIFA president’s self-interest.
Wenger praised Infantino in February to mark 10 years since the Swiss-Italian was elected FIFA president.
“Gianni is always ready to move forward and create new ideas. He is open to new ideas,” Wenger said.
Wheeler uses that assessment as the starting point for criticism of several of Infantino’s recent initiatives and decisions.
During Infantino’s time in charge, FIFA has backed the staging of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar during the Christmas period and expanded the tournament from 32 teams to 48 for the 2026 edition. There has also been discussion of increasing the field to 64 teams for the 2030 World Cup.
Other disputed measures and positions have included mandatory cooling breaks during matches at the World Cup, as well as FIFA’s decision to present United States President Donald Trump with a FIFA Peace Prize.
The article identifies Infantino’s latest and potentially most serious proposal as a plan to open the commercial value of FIFA competitions to private investors. The project is reported to involve a deal worth as much as £3.1bn and has triggered a major international dispute.
UEFA has been among the strongest opponents, with European football’s governing body threatening to boycott FIFA competitions if the plan goes ahead.
Wenger, 76, currently serves as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development. His position places him close to Infantino and, according to Wheeler, within the FIFA president’s inner circle. The article suggests Wenger may have been aware of the private investment proposal and questions whether he might have played a role in its creation because of his close relationship with Infantino.
Wheeler also acknowledges that Wenger continues to make positive contributions to the sport. He leads FIFA’s £160m talent development programme, which is aimed at countries where young players lack clear routes into professional football.
The former Arsenal manager also chairs a task force focused on player welfare, although he has previously proposed holding the World Cup every two years.
However, Wheeler argues that Wenger, once viewed as a visionary who transformed English football, is no longer using his influence to oppose what the article calls Infantino’s self-serving approach.
The journalist points to Wenger’s praise for the success of the 48-team World Cup format, despite the Frenchman accepting that the cooling breaks introduced during matches were not universally popular.
The article also questions Wenger’s position on the proposal described as the “sale” of the World Cup. Infantino has reportedly offered FIFA’s member associations £30m each if they approve the project by 19 September, amid widespread resistance and the threat of a European boycott.
FIFA attempted to calm the dispute with a statement saying: “Nobody is selling football. This is not something FIFA would ever accept.”
Wheeler remains unconvinced. He argues that Infantino has been exposed before the world and says Wenger, rather than confronting him, is “standing firmly behind him”.
The article concludes by describing the veteran French coach as a “silent follower walking behind his master Gianni Infantino” and asking whether the former Arsenal manager could be the “real mastermind behind FIFA’s foolish schemes”.
