Arsene Wenger is championing FIFA’s biggest ever survey into the future of football.
Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, has been in contact with the Football Association to ask for their views on how to protect the future of the beautiful game. The former Arsenal boss, who championed youth development and young players during his 22 years in charge at the Gunners, is now using his role to try and improve grassroots football and the passage into the professional game.
Wenger, 72, will ask the opinions of all 211 national associations from around the world with the idea of getting opinions on coaching, development and gaining access to pitches. The FIFA Amateur Football Programme survey will help Wenger compile an in-depth report which will follow and also tie into FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme to help more players make a career in football.
Wenger’s high-profile role with FIFA saw him push for a new-look global calendar and a World Cup every two years, while he has also done extensive research into automated technology to be used in refereeing decisions for things like offsides.
This latest plan promises to be another high-profile campaign for Wenger and FIFA as world football’s governing body taps into the ex-Arsenal boss’s expertise and standing within the game.
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Wenger said: “Amateur football is a crucial foundational aspect of global football development. A strong amateur football system ensures that anybody wanting to play football has the opportunity to do so at any level, allowing all aspects of the game to flourish in that country.
“The FIFA Amateur Football Programme, which is closely linked to the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, is part of our commitment to develop the base layers of the football pyramid, whilst providing all of our Member Associations with growth opportunities from a global perspective.”
