Arsene Wenger, the former Arsenal manager, is making a landmark visit to India, signifying a major boost for Indian football.
His involvement in various development initiatives is poised to reshape the future of the sport in the nation.
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Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal legend and FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, has arrived in India for a pivotal three-day visit. His journey, which began on November 20, 2023, at the Football House, marks a significant step towards enhancing Indian football’s global presence.
During his visit, Wenger met with AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey and Acting Secretary General Satyanarayan M to discuss strategies for advancing Indian football. The core of these discussions centred on the establishment of the AIFF-FIFA Academy and the broader youth development initiatives across the country.
Wenger’s involvement with the FIFA Talent Development Scheme is expected to be a substantial boost to the success of India’s Talent Development Scheme. This collaboration aligns with Wenger’s vision of enhancing global football standards, with a particular focus on nations like India, which hold immense potential in the sport.
On November 21, 2023, Wenger is set to inaugurate the AIFF-FIFA Academy in Bhubaneswar. This event will coincide with his attendance at the India vs Qatar FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 match at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
In another first, FIFA Talent Academy will be launched at Bhubaneswar today by Arsene Wenger.
This will be FIFA’s first talent academy in India. pic.twitter.com/pmgpdt0cCg
— Manas Muduli🇮🇳 (@manas_muduli) November 21, 2023
Expressing his optimism about India’s football future, Wenger stated, “I would say I was always fascinated by India. My target is to improve football in the world. And it is impossible that a country like India, 1.4 billion, is not on the football world map. I believe you have huge assets, fantastic qualities that make me very optimistic about what you can do here. It is absolutely fantastic to have that opportunity. And with my team, we are really highly motivated to help this country develop in the game.”
He further added, “I’m convinced that it’s possible in the very short term.” Wenger drew parallels with Japan’s football journey, noting how a focused talent development strategy can rapidly change a nation’s football landscape.
Wenger also emphasised the need for grassroots development, stating, “What will football be like in 2030? How can we imagine what our needed quality is in 2030? But what is for sure, is where we start with technique. Football is a technical sport. We have to equip the players from five to 15 with the best possible capacity to be technically at the top.”
Wenger’s visit to India is more than just a ceremonial affair. It is a significant step in India’s journey towards becoming a key player in international football, leveraging the expertise and vision of one of the sport’s most respected figures.
With the establishment of the AIFF-FIFA Academy and the ongoing support from global entities like FIFA, the future of Indian football looks promising.
The India vs Qatar 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match is scheduled for November 21 at 7:00 p.m. IST at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
India has a challenging record against Qatar, having lost two and drawn one of their three matches so far.