4.8.2026
Wenger welcomes FIFA’s decision to jettison FFE
Former Arsenal manager and FIFA chief of global football development, Arsène Wenger, said it was a welcoming development the world football governing body is not going ahead with the FIFA Forward Enterprise.
FIFA president Gianni Infantinto had proposed that a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup through FIFA Forward Enterprise be sold to private equity investors. But member federations UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC kicked against the idea sparking a global outrage.
In a statement, Wenger distanced himself from the proposal, saying he had no involvement in its conception and only became aware of it through media reports.
“The recent events at FIFA deserve some clarity from my side. At FIFA, I am the Chief of Global Football Development… I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports,” Wenger said,
“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.”
His comments followed criticism from FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour, who reportedly said staff at the governing body had been “deceived” by Infantino over the investment proposal.