Thierry Henry says players ‘have more power than they think’ amid Fifa scandals

As Fifa continues to face scrutiny from some confederations and fans, Thierry Henry has encouraged players to use their voice as the political battle for control of international soccer unfolds. The former Arsenal and Barcelona forward turned pundit spoke with the Guardian on Tuesday alongside Kate Scott and Jamie Carragher as CBS and Paramount prepare for this season’s Champions League broadcasts.“For me, the players have more power than they think they have,” Henry said when asked for his thoughts on the situation. “And if they want it to change, they can make it happen – especially nowadays.”Fifa has been under public duress in the wake of multiple scandals surrounding the 2026 World Cup, exacerbated further after reports of Gianni Infantino’s effort to sell the World Cup’s commercial rights. The ensuing month has seen the Fifa president face significant criticism, with Uefa exploring potential legal options against Infantino.Scott, who anchors the CBS panel comprising Henry, Carragher and Micah Richards, spoke extensively about 2021’s attempted Super League project and the ensuing debacle in an Apple TV documentary. The Super League saga seemed to pit the business interests of the sport’s business class against the game’s heart, represented by players, coaches and fans. The latest situation involving Fifa has progressed in a similar spirit.“I think it’s going to be really interesting to see [what comes next],” Scott said. “I think probably a large portion of world football has come to a point where they would like to see a change in [the Fifa presidency], similarly to the way we felt about [the Super League] … I think if you’re invested in the game and you love the game, it just kind of leaves a bad taste.”Infantino has been re-elected twice since 2016, both times without a challenger. The next vote is slated for 18 March 2027, with no alternative having declared their candidacy.“I have no idea which way that will go, because obviously one thing that Gianni Infantino has proven to be within world football is a very smart power broker and has understood how to make allies, use those allies to his benefit,” Scott said.For Henry, though, the voice of the players can – and should – be a bigger part of the conversation.“Players have all the power if they want to, and sometimes they don’t, I think, use it or realize actually the power that they have,” Henry said. “You guys in the US know fully well: when the player wants to do something, the league listens. You saw it with the NBA. You saw it with the NFL … At one point, the players are always on the side: go entertain, take your money, leave.skip past newsletter promotionafter newsletter promotion“Us debating about it here, what’s going to change? We can all have a view whether it’s a good one or a bad one … But for me, the players have more power than they think they have. And if they want it to change, they can make it happen – especially nowadays.” This is an extract from Soccer Desk, a newsletter from the Guardian US. Subscribe for free here.