New Zealand break with Oceania Football Confederation to withdraw Infantino support

New Zealand has severed ties with the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) to distance themselves from Fifa president Gianni Infantino. Infantino has lost backing from three regional federations - Uefa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Concacaf - due to his aborted plans to sell 20% of the World Cup's commercial rights to private investors.

Only the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and South American body Conmebol support Infantino's re-election bid at the upcoming Fifa Congress in March. New Zealand has joined several individual member nations, including England, Wales, Norway, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, in refusing to support Infantino. NZF is also requesting an independent review of the FIFA Forward Enterprise Scheme (FFE) after determining that decisions under FIFA have eroded trust and increased division within international football.

NZF believes this moment offers an opportunity for all Fifa member associations to demand stronger governance, accountability and transparency. New Zealand was the lone OFC member to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while fellow members New Caledonia have reiterated their support for Infantino. Mexico, Grenada and St Kitts and Nevis have backed Infantino despite their Concacaf affiliation, while Argentina aligns with Conmebol.

The OFC welcomes FIFA's decision to abandon the FFE proposal but has not abandoned its support for Infantino. The OFC Executive Committee acknowledges the advancements made in Oceania football development over the past decade and encourages FIFA to utilize the review to identify and implement necessary changes.