MELBOURNE, Aug 4, 2026 – New Zealand Football chief Andrew Pragnell expressed concern over FIFA's recently scrapped $4.2-billion private equity proposal, describing it as a "shock to confidence" in the governance of world football. He called on Oceania's members to unite on the issue of FIFA President Gianni Infantino's leadership.

Several European nations have withdrawn support for Infantino after the proposal to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights was abandoned. Infantino has since apologized for the division caused by the plan.

Oceania's football confederation (OFC), which includes New Zealand among its 11 members, has not yet taken a position on Infantino's leadership. A vote by FIFA's 211 member associations could be triggered if an Extraordinary Congress is convened.

Pragnell, who announced he will step down next year, acknowledged that New Zealand has benefited from FIFA projects under Infantino's tenure, noting "enormous gains" for football associations outside Europe and South America. However, he criticized FIFA's handling of the proposal, saying it undermined trust and that New Zealand Football had no hesitation in rejecting it despite promised funding increases.

"If we park the proposal overall, what you've seen from FIFA is enormous commercial growth and increased focus on the redistribution of wealth across all member federations, including some great projects that we've benefited from," Pragnell said.

New Zealand, once reliant on intercontinental playoffs to qualify for World Cups, now holds a near-certain spot as Oceania's strongest team, with the region allocated one automatic berth in the expanded 48-team tournament.

Despite significant FIFA support, Pragnell emphasized New Zealand's independence, citing the country's opposition to FIFA's invitation of Saudi sponsorship for the Women's World Cup.

While UEFA and CONCACAF have publicly expressed lost confidence in FIFA's leadership, Pragnell stated New Zealand will consult with the OFC and other regional confederations before deciding its stance.

Sources