Arsène Wenger pays glowing tribute to Gianni Infantino over decade of transformation at FIFA

Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has hailed FIFA president Gianni Infantino for overseeing what he describes as a “huge improvement” in global football during his ten-year reign at the helm of the world governing body.

Infantino marks a decade in office this week, having been elected FIFA president in February 2016. Under his leadership, FIFA has implemented significant structural and developmental reforms aimed at expanding the game’s global reach.

Wenger, who has served as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development since 2019, believes the organisation should be proud of its achievements over the past decade.

“Overall we have gone through a lot. When you’re at FIFA you’re always under pressure and under scrutiny, but I believe that the highlights are that we’ve tried to develop the game by improving the roots of the game as well the competition,” Wenger said in an interview with Mirror.

“And if you look at the last ten years and how football has moved on the popular front, I would say there is a huge improvement on that side and that Gianni is always ready to move forward and to create new ideas. He’s open to new ideas.”

One of the most notable changes during Infantino’s tenure is the expansion of the FIFA World Cup to 48 teams, beginning in 2026. Wenger also highlighted FIFA’s ambitious global academy project.

“We have for the first time now a World Cup with 48 teams. Our target is to have 100 academies in 100 different countries, so that shows you how big the impact will be worldwide. It will change the world.

“And I’m convinced as well that the U-15 and U-17 World Cup every year will change football in the world – and it will change the world, believe me. So that I think is a very positive step.”

Wenger stressed that much of the progress has been directed at countries outside Europe that previously lagged behind in infrastructure and development.

“A lot has been done in the last 10 years to help countries who were behind Europe to develop their potential.

“So, that’s certainly the proudest moment, but you can look at these 10 years – a huge improvement has been made in the countries who were far behind and slowly the level is more unified and is much higher everywhere in the world.”

The Frenchman further underlined FIFA’s shift toward structured education programmes as a defining legacy of Infantino’s presidency.

“I would say with hindsight, we realise that for the first time, in the last 10 years, FIFA has gone for a very strong educational programme.

“Before, FIFA had done a lot of work, of course, and a lot of good work, but it was mainly about organising competitions, about keeping the rules of the game, being a guarantor of the rules of the game, where we participate as well and we want to move the game forward as well.

“But for the first time in the last 10 years, FIFA has gone into an educational role and responsibility and that in my opinion will change the world.”

Wenger also revealed that Infantino played a crucial role in supporting his development vision.

“Gianni is somebody who wants to move forward. He’s always open to new ideas and I’m grateful – he was a huge supporter of my suggestions to educate the players in the academies, in the countries and to develop all the countries.

“He is conscious that every country deserves a chance and he has helped me to get the funds and to get the funds voted by all the federations to support this programme.

“And I must say, he has been a huge supporter of the Development Programme so overall he’s always keen to move things forward.”

Reflecting on his decision to join FIFA after leaving club management, Wenger added:

“I thought the best way to have an influence in the world of football is at global level and I decided to join FIFA, to say yes to their question: ‘Would you like to join us and help us to improve the quality of the game in the world?’ And, it was obvious for me.

“You see the world has changed. When we go to the tournaments, everybody is excited about developing their potential and overall this is a huge success.”

Infantino’s ten-year milestone comes at a time when FIFA continues to push forward with expanded tournaments, enhanced youth competitions and increased funding for member associations worldwide.