Uefa close to selecting candidate to run against Infantino in Fifa election

• Challenger’s identity could be approved by next week

• Arsène Wenger not thought to have entered reckoning for role

Uefa and its allies are close to identifying a candidate to run against Gianni Infantino in the Fifa election and could approve the challenger’s identity as early as next week.

The clock is ticking on efforts to oppose Infantino in March, with candidates required to confirm they are standing by 18 November, but there is growing confidence those attempts are nearing a successful resolution. Discussions with potential nominees have gained momentum despite recent setbacks that included a U-turn by the Asian Football Confederation president, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa, who surprisingly endorsed Infantino’s push for a fourth term.