New Zealand withdraws Infantino backing as OFC remains supportive

New Zealand Football withdrew its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president on August 14, 2026, while the Oceania Football Confederation continued to back his leadership. The national association also called for an independent review of the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, saying the controversy had damaged confidence and trust.

The decision puts New Zealand at odds with its continental football body. OFC has acknowledged the concerns around the commercial plan but also pointed to what it sees as major progress for Oceania during Infantino’s presidency. New Caledonia has gone further by reaffirming its support for Infantino and praising FIFA’s governance, equal funding and development work in the region.

FIFA Forward Enterprise involved a proposed sale of about 20 percent of a commercial-rights vehicle linked to FIFA competitions. The plan could have raised around $4.2 billion through private investment. Opposition focused on how the proposal was developed and whether FIFA’s key stakeholders had been properly consulted.

After a crisis meeting in Morocco, FIFA apologised to its 211 member associations over mistakes in handling the proposal and withdrew the plan. New Zealand Football said that step did not resolve the wider governance questions. Its chief executive, Andrew Pragnell, argued that the review should examine decision-making and oversight, with its terms agreed carefully and the process started urgently.

New Zealand has benefited from FIFA initiatives under Infantino, including co-hosting the 2023 Women’s World Cup with Australia. The expansion of the men’s World Cup also gave Oceania a guaranteed direct qualification place. Those gains have not stopped the association from separating development support from its assessment of FIFA’s governance and accountability.

OFC has 11 FIFA member associations, making New Zealand’s position notable within the confederation and in the wider contest over Infantino’s leadership. Several national associations have withdrawn or reconsidered earlier support, while Norway Football Federation president Lise Klaveness has called for Infantino to resign. New Zealand’s action is a withdrawal of electoral backing and a demand for scrutiny, rather than an explicit call for his immediate resignation.