Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president has suffered another major setback after New Zealand Football (NZF) formally withdrew its support ahead of next year’s FIFA Congress.
The decision puts New Zealand at odds with the wider Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and adds another national association to the growing list of football bodies questioning Infantino’s leadership.
Infantino’s position has come under increasing pressure following the collapse of the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which included plans linked to selling a stake in the World Cup to private investors.
New Zealand is now calling for greater transparency and an independent review of the decisions surrounding the proposal.
In a strongly worded statement, NZF said its decision followed a careful assessment of recent developments within FIFA.
The governing body said it no longer believes it can support Infantino’s candidature for the 2027 FIFA presidential election.
“New Zealand Football (NZF) today announced that it has formally withdrawn its support for the candidature of Gianni Infantino as FIFA President at the 2027 FIFA Congress,” the statement read.
“In addition, NZF is also seeking an independent review of the steps undertaken to develop the FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme.
“After careful consideration, NZF has formed the view that decisions and actions within FIFA have contributed to a breakdown in trust and increased division within international football, and that an independent review is required to restore confidence and trust.
“NZF believes this point in time represents an opportunity for all FIFA member associations to advocate for stronger governance, accountability and transparency which are fundamental in maintaining confidence of the administration of the global game.”
The statement represents a significant challenge to Infantino, who is seeking to secure a fourth term as FIFA president.
New Zealand’s decision comes after several major football authorities moved away from supporting Infantino.
European governing body UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Concacaf have all withdrawn their backing, while individual associations including England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have also indicated they will not support the incumbent.
New Zealand is particularly significant because it is currently the only OFC member to publicly withdraw support for Infantino.
The OFC represents 11 football associations across the Pacific, making New Zealand’s position a clear break from the confederation’s broader stance.
While New Zealand has openly questioned FIFA’s direction, the OFC has taken a more cautious position.
The confederation welcomed FIFA’s decision to withdraw the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal but stopped short of calling for Infantino to leave his position.
In its statement, the OFC highlighted the development of football across the Pacific during Infantino’s leadership.
“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,” the OFC said in a statement.
“OFC recognises the progress achieved over the last decade in advancing football development in Oceania under FIFA’s leadership and encourages FIFA to use the review as an opportunity to identify and implement any changes that may be necessary.”
The statement effectively leaves the door open for FIFA to address concerns surrounding governance without directly challenging Infantino’s re-election bid.
Infantino still has powerful support elsewhere. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and South American governing body CONMEBOL have backed his bid for a fourth term, meaning the battle for influence ahead of the March 2027 FIFA Congress is already taking shape.
However, the growing number of dissenting voices could make the election more politically significant than expected.
For New Zealand Football, the issue appears to go beyond one proposed commercial scheme. Its call for an independent review points to broader concerns about how FIFA decisions are made and communicated to its member associations.
The latest development places governance, accountability and transparency firmly at the centre of the FIFA presidential debate.
Infantino has overseen significant changes during his time leading world football, including an expansion of major competitions and increased commercial ambitions.
But with more football associations now questioning FIFA’s direction, the president faces a different challenge: rebuilding trust among the organisations that ultimately determine the leadership of global football.
New Zealand’s decision may not determine the outcome of the 2027 election, but it sends a clear message from the Pacific.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
