New Zealand Football withdraws support for Infantino reelection bid

New Zealand Football (NZF) announced on Friday that it had formally withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino's reelection as FIFA president, breaking ranks with the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) over a controversial plan that would have allowed private investors to acquire up to a 20% stake in the commercial operations of World Cup and other tournament revenues.

Breakdown in trust

NZF cited a "breakdown in trust" with world football's governing body following the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which had drawn widespread criticism from member associations across multiple continents. "New Zealand Football (NZF) today announced that it has formally withdrawn its support for the candidature of Gianni Infantino as FIFA President at the 2027 FIFA Congress," the federation said in a statement. As the OFC's largest member and the region's only country to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, New Zealand's defection marks a significant blow to Infantino's hopes for unanimous continental backing.

The federation demanded an independent review of how the proposal had been developed, arguing that recent decisions had eroded confidence in FIFA's transparency and governance structures despite the plan's formal withdrawal. "NZF is also seeking an independent review of the steps undertaken to develop the FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme," it said. The federation added that an independent review is required to restore confidence and trust after decisions within FIFA contributed to increased division within international football.

Mixed continental reactions

The OFC adopted a more conciliatory stance after its executive committee met in Fiji on Wednesday, welcoming the withdrawal of the controversial proposal while maintaining support for the current FIFA administration. "The OFC executive committee welcomes FIFA's decision to withdraw the FFE (FIFA Forward Enterprise) proposal and its commitment to review the issues surrounding the project," it said in a statement issued Friday. The confederation noted that it recognizes the progress achieved over the last decade in advancing football development in Oceania and encourages FIFA to use the review as an opportunity to implement any necessary changes.

UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) have called for a review of Infantino's leadership and criticized his handling of the proposal. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and South American governing body CONMEBOL, however, continue to support the incumbent, who is seeking a fourth term in office. The election will take place at the FIFA Congress in Morocco on March 17, 2027.