New Zealand has joined mounting criticism of FIFA President Gianni Infantino by withdrawing support for his re-election campaign, marking a significant split within the Oceania Football Confederation. The move comes after Infantino’s controversial attempt to sell private stakes in World Cup commercial rights, a proposal that was ultimately abandoned following widespread backlash from major football confederations.
Three major regional football bodies—UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and CONCACAF—have called for an independent review of Infantino’s leadership and conduct regarding the failed investment scheme. New Zealand’s football chief stressed the importance of an independent investigation rather than an internal review, citing eroded confidence in FIFA’s decision-making processes. However, the Oceania Football Confederation itself has taken a more cautious stance, welcoming FIFA’s withdrawal of the proposal while expressing continued confidence in the current leadership.
Despite significant opposition, Infantino retains substantial support heading into next year’s presidential election at the FIFA Congress. African and South American confederations have pledged their backing, while Arab football associations and Qatar have also expressed strong support. With his re-election bid set for March, Infantino faces a divided global football community as confederations representing over half of FIFA’s voting members demand greater transparency and accountability in governance.
Originally reported by Aljazeera →
About the Author
