Infantino’s Re‑election Bid Faces Setback as New Zealand Pulls Endorsement

Auckland, 14 August – Gianni Infantino’s attempt to secure a second term as FIFA president has encountered a fresh obstacle after New Zealand Football (NZF) officially withdrew its backing. The Oceania member association announced that it no longer supports Infantino’s candidacy for the 2027 FIFA Congress, citing concerns over recent governance decisions and the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) programme.

Infantino had previously outlined an ambitious financial plan that involved separating World Cup commercial rights and selling a 20% private stake to generate approximately $7.2 billion. The proposal was met with criticism from various stakeholders, prompting Infantino to abandon the plan.

NZF’s statement emphasized that “the erosion of trust in international football demands an independent review to rebuild confidence among all parties.” The association urged FIFA to adopt stronger governance standards, greater accountability, and enhanced transparency.

The withdrawal follows a meeting of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) executive committee, which welcomed NZF’s stance and pledged to work closely with FIFA and other confederations to ensure that football continues to thrive across the region.