Archive · 14 Aug 2026
New Zealand Breaks With Oceania As Infantino Loses FIFA Support
FIFA is the group that runs the biggest football competitions in the world.
Its president is a man named Gianni Infantino.
He had an idea to let rich investors buy a small part of the World Cup, the big football tournament.
That plan was cancelled.
Many people are unhappy about what happened.
They say it created the biggest problem of Infantino's time as president.
Some football groups, like UEFA and CONCACAF, say they do not trust him.
A big election for the FIFA president will happen in 2027.
The Oceania Football Confederation said it supports FIFA's decision to drop the plan.
But New Zealand Football does not agree with its neighbours and is not supporting Infantino.
FIFA cancelled a plan to sell minority stakes in the FIFA World Cup to private investors.
Gianni Infantino faces what is described as the biggest crisis of his presidency following the cancellation.
UEFA and CONCACAF have expressed distrust in Infantino ahead of the 2027 presidential elections.
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) said on Friday, August 14 that it supports FIFA's decision to withdraw the sell-off plan.
New Zealand Football has deviated from its continental body's stance, adding to the loss of support for Infantino.
- Who
- Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, who is facing a split among member associations over his leadership.
- What
- The cancelled plan to sell minority stakes in the FIFA World Cup to private investors has triggered the biggest crisis of Infantino's presidency, with New Zealand Football deviating from the Oceania Football Confederation's supportive stance.
- When
- The Oceania Football Confederation announced its support on Friday, August 14; the FIFA presidential elections are due in 2027.
- Where
- Not specified in the articles.
- Why
- The World Cup minority-stake sale plan was cancelled, deepening distrust in Infantino and dividing member nations.
Infantino Supporters (e.g., Oceania Football Confederation)
Infantino Critics (e.g., UEFA, CONCACAF, New Zealand Football)
World Cup minority-stake sale
Infantino Supporters (e.g., Oceania Football Confederation)
FIFA's withdrawal of the sell-off plan is the right decision, and the OFC publicly backs it.
Infantino Critics (e.g., UEFA, CONCACAF, New Zealand Football)
The episode has deepened distrust, with UEFA and CONCACAF expressing a lack of confidence in Infantino.
Confidence in Infantino's leadership
Infantino Supporters (e.g., Oceania Football Confederation)
The OFC's support for the withdrawal is seen as indirectly backing Infantino as FIFA president.
Infantino Critics (e.g., UEFA, CONCACAF, New Zealand Football)
New Zealand Football broke from the OFC, and UEFA and CONCACAF distrust Infantino ahead of the 2027 elections.
- FIFA President
- Gianni Infantino
- Cancelled Decision
- Plan to sell minority stakes in the FIFA World Cup to private investors
- Crisis Status
- Biggest crisis of Infantino's presidency
- Next FIFA Presidential Election
- 2027
- Associations Showing Distrust
- UEFA, CONCACAF
- OFC Stance (August 14)
- Supports FIFA's withdrawal of the World Cup sell-off plan
- New Zealand Football Stance
- Deviated from the OFC's position