The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has declared its official support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino and welcomed FIFA’s withdrawal of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, following a meeting of the OFC executive committee in Fiji on August 12, 2026 [1, 2].

The FFE plan involved selling up to 20% of the commercial rights of FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors to raise approximately $4.2 billion. The proposal faced strong backlash and was subsequently withdrawn [1, 3].

Despite OFC’s backing, New Zealand Football (NZF)—the OFC’s largest member and its only nation qualified for the 2026 World Cup—publicly withdrew support for Infantino’s reelection bid on August 14, 2026. NZF cited a breakdown in trust due to FIFA’s handling of the private investment proposal and called for an independent review of the FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme to restore confidence in FIFA governance [3, 2].

“We’ve called for an independent review specifically because what we don’t want to see is a sort of in-house quick washover of this,” said Andrew Pragnell, NZF Chief Executive [3]. NZF’s official statement said: "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" [2].

Other football confederations have also voiced concerns. UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF have criticized Infantino’s leadership and handling of the stake sale plan and called for review [1, 3, 2]. Meanwhile, CAF and CONMEBOL continue to support the FIFA president [1, 3, 2].

The OFC executive committee noted the progress made in football development in Oceania under FIFA’s leadership and encouraged FIFA to use the review process as an opportunity to implement necessary changes [1].

The situation underscores a clear split within the OFC, with New Zealand Football breaking ranks by distancing itself from both the controversial proposal and the president’s reelection campaign.

No date has been set for the proposed independent review or further escalation of these developments.