I don't buy it. Why would afc want to add ofc if it's not going to add anything commerically? I
'I think as we move closer to ofc have a guaranteed wc spot, things will become less friendly, not more?
Who knows FIFA may just 'force' AFC to accept the OFC countries, again in some sort of East Asia tier 4 grouping. Or FIFA just offer AFC some financial carrot to make it happen.
Obviously of all the OFC nations, NZ would have the most to offer from a commercial angle. Sure we are a small nation of only 4.5M, but we do significant trade in Asia. Plus NZF could agrue EPL players like Wood & Reid (though Reid esp would probably hardly play), would be an attraction for Asian crowds. The EPL is of course huge in Asia.
Have a hunch the East Asian bloc (China, Japan, Sth Korea, Australia) would welcome us in, as long as we paid our way, and played mostly a full strength competitive team. Apart from the Socceroos we play the others in friendlies now & again anyway. West Asia not so friendly I'd say.
Again NZ Basketball seem to be doing it pretty well, so you would really hope someone at NZF is taking notice.
Note any Nations League games, would have to be separate to WC qualifying games, both for AFC & OFC.
Similar to the way UEFA are structuring their Nations League, you would think any AFC Nations League games would effectively replace qualifying games for the next Asian Cup.