New Zealand Football has formally withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election as FIFA president and called for an independent review into the development of the now-abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal.
The decision comes as Infantino faces growing criticism over his leadership. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Concacaf, which oversees football in North and Central America and the Caribbean, have also withdrawn their support following the controversy surrounding the FFE plan, which sought to attract private investment into FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
New Zealand Football said decisions and actions within FIFA had contributed to a loss of trust and increased divisions within international football.
“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,” the federation said.
NZF also called for stronger governance, accountability and transparency across FIFA.
“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,” it added.
New Zealand’s decision came a day after the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) also withdrew its support for Infantino’s re-election.
Following a board meeting, the Irish federation decided to rescind a letter of support it had issued for Infantino earlier this year and subsequently wrote to FIFA to explain its reasoning.
Different positions within Oceania
New Zealand Football, one of the 11 full FIFA member associations within the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), has taken a different position from the confederation itself.
Following its August 12 meeting, the OFC welcomed FIFA’s decision to withdraw the FFE proposal while recognising the progress made in advancing football development across Oceania under FIFA’s leadership over the past decade. It also said the review of the project should be used to identify any necessary changes, while stressing the importance of good governance, transparency and established processes.
The confederation said it remained committed to constructive dialogue and initiatives aimed at strengthening football and creating sustainable opportunities for its development.
Infantino retains support
Despite the latest withdrawals, Infantino continues to have the backing of several football organisations, including the OFC, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL).
Speaking to Sky News on Wednesday, August 12, CAF president Patrice Motsepe said Infantino’s future should be decided through the election process rather than through efforts to remove him outside FIFA’s established procedures.
Motsepe also made clear that CAF continues to support the FIFA president.
“He’s been loyal to African football. He enjoys the support of Africa,” Motsepe said.
Infantino has also received support from several Arab football leaders. On Thursday, August 13, Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), alongside the presidents of the football federations of Qatar, Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan and Mauritania, publicly backed Infantino in a joint statement.
“We express our full support for Mr. Gianni Infantino and reaffirm our confidence in his leadership and his continued commitment to the development of football worldwide. We deeply appreciate Mr. Infantino’s sustained efforts to advance football worldwide, expand opportunities across all regions and strengthen the role of the sport in bringing people and communities together,” the six officials said.
Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, is seeking a fourth term in office. His future will be decided by FIFA’s 211 member associations at the organisation’s 77th Congress in Rabat on March 18, 2027.
