FIFA is set to propose an additional $3.4 billion (£2.6 billion) for global football development, more than doubling its planned funding distribution for the 2027–2030 cycle.
The world football governing body plans to release the additional funds from its reserves, citing the commercial success of this summer’s FIFA World Cup as the driving force behind the move.
The proposal will be presented at Thursday’s FIFA Council meeting amid growing pressure on president Gianni Infantino following criticism of his abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan, which sought to attract private investors by selling stakes in the World Cup and other competitions.
UEFA and Concacaf had challenged the proposal and called for greater financial support for football associations. In September, both organisations urged FIFA to distribute at least $10 million (£7.5 million) from its reserves to each of its 211 member associations.
Infantino subsequently pledged to support the highest level of additional funding that FIFA could responsibly provide.
Under the new proposal, FIFA’s total football development spending for 2027–2030 would rise to $6.35 billion (£4.83 billion), up from the previously budgeted $2.7 billion (£2.05 billion).
The proposed funding allocation includes:
- $25 million (£19 million) for each of FIFA’s 211 member associations.
- $99 million (£75 million) for each of the six continental confederations.
- $8.25 million (£6.3 million) for each of the 13 zonal and regional associations.
- $1.1 million (£836,000) for each of 100 member associations to support travel and equipment.
FIFA plans to direct the funds towards women’s football, youth development, infrastructure and other football-related projects.
Under the proposed distribution framework, one-third of the funding would support women’s and youth football development, another third would go towards infrastructure with equal access for women’s and youth football, while the remaining third would fund development projects.
The detailed rules governing eligibility, applications, approvals, disbursement, monitoring and audits will be finalised by the FIFA Council at its next meeting in December 2026.
The proposal will then require approval at the 77th FIFA Congress in March 2027.
Infantino, who is seeking a fourth term as FIFA president in March 2027, has faced increasing scrutiny over the organisation’s financial decisions and its approach to distributing funds across world football.
If approved, the expanded funding package would represent a major increase in FIFA’s investment in football development, particularly for member associations seeking to strengthen infrastructure and expand opportunities for women and young players.
