New Zealand Football (NZF) has formally withdrawn its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, becoming the latest national federation to break with its regional confederation over the embattled leader's future. In a statement released on Friday, NZF said that recent decisions and actions within FIFA had contributed to a breakdown in trust and increased division within international football, and that an independent review is necessary to restore confidence.
"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. It added that this moment offers an opportunity for all FIFA member associations to advocate for stronger governance, accountability, and transparency, which are fundamental to maintaining confidence in the administration of the global game.
The move puts New Zealand at odds with the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), which issued its own statement on Friday welcoming FIFA's decision to abandon the controversial private investment plan known as the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). The OFC expressed support for Infantino, acknowledging the progress made in football development in Oceania under his leadership and encouraging FIFA to use the review as a chance to identify and implement any necessary changes.
Growing divide among FIFA's member associations
New Zealand's decision adds to a widening chasm within world football over Infantino's presidency. The 54-year-old Swiss-Italian, first elected in 2016, is due to seek re-election in 2027. A growing number of national federations have publicly declared their positions, with some calling for his departure and others rallying behind him.
European football's governing body UEFA, along with the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), have all called for a change in leadership. In contrast, South America's CONMEBOL and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have voiced their support for Infantino.
Among the first nations to announce they would no longer back Infantino were Wales, Finland, Serbia, and Sweden. They were followed by England, Jordan, Albania, the Republic of Ireland, and Norway, with the latter going further and demanding his resignation. On the other side, Paraguay, World Cup runners-up Argentina, and tournament co-hosts Mexico have expressed their backing for the FIFA chief.
The controversy surrounding Infantino has been compounded by the now-scrapped FFE proposal, which would have allowed third-party investors to acquire stakes in a commercial subsidiary. Critics argued that such a scheme could compromise FIFA's governance and financial integrity. The plan was dropped amid widespread opposition, but the damage to Infantino's credibility appears to have deepened.
Infantino has also received support from an unexpected quarter: US President Donald Trump. In a post on Truth Social earlier this week, Trump said that FIFA "would be making a terrible mistake" if it parted ways with Infantino, a personal friend. The endorsement has further polarized an already contentious debate.
The situation has drawn attention beyond the world of football, with commentators noting the broader governance lessons that can be drawn from FIFA's crisis. As the governance crisis unfolds, questions about transparency, accountability, and the role of external oversight have become central to the discussion.
New Zealand's stance is particularly significant given its traditional alignment with the OFC, which has generally been seen as a reliable supporter of Infantino. The federation's call for an independent review echoes similar demands from other European and Asian associations, and it remains to be seen whether more national bodies will follow suit.
With the 2027 election looming, the pressure on Infantino is unlikely to ease. The growing list of nations withdrawing their support, combined with the backing of powerful figures like Trump, sets the stage for a deeply contested leadership battle. For now, the football world remains split, and the future of FIFA's presidency hangs in the balance.
