decade in charge of FIFA with funding increasing from US$2 to US$3 million over a four-year cycle to US$8 million in the last round. Infantino inaugurated a new national soccer center in Papua New Guinea, funded by FIFA Forward money in 2023, and another has opened in the Solomon Islands. Vanuatu has a new stadium. While the prospect of the US$40 million that Infantino promised if the 211 full member associations had opted for his controversial plan would have been tempting, Davani believes that is missing the point about what kind of FIFA president Oceania needs. “For a region like Oceania, we need our leaders to have a real understanding of some of the things that impact the growth and development of professional football,” he said. “It’s really expensive to move around the islands, for example, climate change means we’re losing islands and places to play, and the advancement of indigenous peoples’ rights are important to the region. “I think that’s the standard of leader that Oceania has every right to expect.” Citing Tim Cahill, who played for Samoa before switching to Australia, and French World Cup winner Christian Karembeu, who was born in New Caledonia, Davani said there was plenty of talent in Oceania if it could be developed properly. “I think the disappointing thing for me about this entire (FIFA schism) is we stop talking about football, especially in a region where it needs to be played more often,” he said. “I don’t think talent has been the issue. I think it’s been the systems around that talent, which is why I’m really keen for us to get back to the football discussion,” he said…..PACNEWS