FIFA chief Arsene Wenger says he had nothing to do with controversial World Cup plans

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FT Desk

Arsene Wenger has distanced himself from Gianni Infantino's controversial plans for the future of the World Cup that have now been scrapped.

Last week, the Times reported Infantino's potential proposals.

It was the creation of the FIFA Forward Enterprise, a separate commercial company that would take control of the business side of FIFA's biggest competitions, including the men's World Cup, Women's World Cup and Club World Cup. The new entity would oversee areas such as broadcasting, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing while remaining under FIFA's overall control.

Crucially, World Cup shares would have been sold to private equity firms. Under the proposal, FIFA would sell a 20% minority stake in FFE to private investors, raising an estimated $4.2 billion while retaining majority ownership. The money would be used to increase funding for FIFA's 211 member associations, with federations that opted into the scheme potentially receiving up to $40 million during the 2027-30 funding cycle.

The plans triggered fierce opposition from UEFA and several national associations, who argued that bringing private equity into the World Cup risked commercialising the sport too heavily.

UEFA member associations even threatened to boycott any future World Cup tournaments if the plans went ahead, and that ultimately led to Infantino scrapping the plans and conceding the defeat.

There is now major scrutiny on FIFA and, as an employee of the organisation, Wenger has felt it necessary to say he had nothing to do with the development of the FFE scheme, even if he is FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development.

“At FIFA, I am the Chief of Global Football Development," he said, as reported by Ben Jacobs.

“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.

“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, because I firmly believe in an independent FIFA that serves our game with commitment, transparency, and integrity.”

There are now major calls for Infantino to resign from his post as FIFA President, while he could be the subject of an investigation from the European Parliament due to his increasingly close relationship with US President Donald Trump.

FIFA is supposed to remain a politically neutral organisation but has been accused of bowing to the US's demands surrounding the World Cup in North America, including the controversial move to overturn a suspension for USMNT striker Folarin Balogun.