New Zealand Football (NZF) has formally withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino‘s re-election bid as Fifa president, marking a break from the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). This decision makes New Zealand the latest nation to distance itself from the current Fifa leadership.
The move by NZF follows Infantino’s aborted plans to sell a portion of the World Cup‘s commercial rights to private investors. This proposal, known as the Fifa Forward Enterprise Scheme (FFE), has drawn criticism and led to a breakdown in trust within international football, according to NZF.
NZF is also seeking an independent review of the steps taken to develop the FFE scheme. Chief executive Andrew Pragnell stated that an independent review is crucial to restore confidence and trust, rather than an internal assessment.
The decision by New Zealand contrasts with the stance of the OFC, which has declared its support for Infantino. The OFC executive committee welcomed Fifa’s decision to withdraw the FFE proposal and acknowledged the progress made in football development in Oceania under Fifa’s leadership over the past decade.
Despite the OFC’s overall support, New Zealand was the only one of the confederation’s 11 members to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Other OFC members, such as New Caledonia, have reaffirmed their backing for Infantino.
Several other regional confederations have also withdrawn support for Infantino, including Europe’s Uefa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and Concacaf (North and Central America and the Caribbean). These confederations represent a significant portion of Fifa’s membership, with 143 of its 211 members.
However, powerful countries within these blocks, such as Mexico and Qatar, have indicated their continued support for Infantino, as have some individual member nations like Grenada and St Kitts and Nevis, going against their confederation’s position. The Confederation of African Football (Caf) and South American governing body Conmebol have also backed Infantino for a fourth presidential term.
NZF’s decision is rooted in its values, according to Pragnell. He emphasised that the organisation aims to lead based on its principles and prioritise the football community. Pragnell acknowledged the benefits NZF has received, including co-hosting the 2023 Women’s World Cup with Australia, but maintained that the FFE proposal should not have emerged in its original form.
The NZF statement highlighted that decisions and actions within Fifa have contributed to increased division and a breakdown of trust within international football. The organisation believes that this period offers an opportunity for all Fifa member associations to advocate for stronger governance, accountability, and transparency.
Pragnell also reflected on the reforms that followed Sepp Blatter‘s tenure, noting that while positive changes have occurred, they have not gone far enough. NZF seeks a system where power is not concentrated in the hands of one individual, advocating for greater transparency and stronger governance that reflects the needs of all members and the global game.
The OFC, the smallest confederation in world football, has 11 full members. Its stance, along with support from smaller nations like American Samoa and the Cook Islands, illustrates continued backing for Infantino in some quarters. The OFC’s executive committee considered recent developments concerning the FFE this week.
The organisation stated that good governance, transparency, and respect for established institutional processes are fundamental to the effective administration and sustainable development of football. The OFC remains committed to constructive dialogue and collaboration with its member associations, Fifa, and other confederations to ensure football’s continued growth worldwide.
New Zealand Football’s decision to withdraw support for Gianni Infantino was formally made ahead of the 2027 Fifa Congress.
Source: bbc.com
