FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, Arsène Wenger, says he had no involvement in FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell a stake in the FIFA World Cup to a private investment firm.
The plan, which sought to raise US$4 billion through the sale to an investment group led by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, sparked widespread opposition before FIFA withdrew it.
Although the proposal was abandoned, it has damaged Infantino’s standing ahead of the 2027 FIFA presidential election. Football associations in Wales, Sweden, and Serbia have since withdrawn their support for his expected re-election bid.
In a statement released on Tuesday, August 4, Wenger distanced himself from the proposal, saying he played no role in its development.
“The recent events at FIFA deserve some clarity from my side. At FIFA, I am the Chief of Global Football Development. 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” a section of his statement read.
