{
  "id": 19369454,
  "title": "Would Arsene Wenger make a good FIFA president?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/would-arsene-wenger-make-a-good-fifa-president",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-10T17:46:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/arsene-wenger-good-fifa-president-174606672.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The open position of FIFA president has prompted speculation about the suitability of potential candidates. One name that has been mentioned, albeit reluctantly, is Arsene Wenger, currently serving as FIFA’s 'Chief of Global Football Development'.\n\nA recurring theme in discussions about Wenger as a candidate is the idea that someone who must be persuaded to take on such a significant role may not be the best fit. This sentiment is echoed by those advocating for a change from the current FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, who they perceive as lacking the genuine interest in the sport's betterment.\n\nHowever, Wenger's reluctance to run for the presidency could be seen as a strength, given his lack of political ambition. As someone who has already devoted his career to football, he would likely have a genuine desire to improve the global game, rather than engaging in power plays or turning football into a political or business venture.\n\nWenger's approach to football has been characterized by his passion for the game, which has sometimes led him to propose radical rule changes, such as kick-ins or offside reforms. While these ideas have been met with skepticism, they demonstrate Wenger's commitment to evolving the sport in ways he believes are beneficial.\n\nDespite these potential drawbacks, Wenger remains the most credible and recognizable alternative to Infantino. However, the real issue may not be whether Wenger would be an effective president, but whether he would be preferable to the current state of affairs. The hope is that even if Wenger were elected, he might not be able to impose his ideas on a resistant FIFA. But in the current climate, Wenger might be the best available option.",
  "summary": "“Anyone who is prepared to run for president should automatically, by definition, be disqualified from ever doing so.” It’s something that has been attributed to everyone from Plato to Douglas Adams. This version is from Gore Vidal, but the sentiment is the same: the genuine desire for such power indicates a character that should not be trusted with it. Wenger, who since 2019 has been FIFA’s…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}