FIFA is proposing to increase its global football development funding to $6.35bn for the 2027–2030 period, more than doubling its existing budget to provide additional financial support to member associations and other football organisations.
The proposed increase of $3.4bn would be drawn from the world football governing body’s reserves, following the commercial success of this summer’s World Cup, according to a BBC Sport report on Wednesday.
The proposal is expected to be considered by the FIFA Council on Thursday, as president Gianni Infantino faces mounting pressure from football administrators to increase financial support for member associations.
The planned funding boost follows opposition to Infantino’s proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, which sought to sell stakes in the World Cup and other competitions to private investors.
The proposal drew criticism from several football stakeholders, including UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation.
In September, UEFA and Concacaf wrote to Infantino, calling on FIFA to distribute at least $10m from its cash reserves to each of its 211 member associations.
In a subsequent letter to the six continental confederations, Infantino said he would support “the greatest level of additional funding that can responsibly be delivered”.
Under the latest proposal, FIFA’s development funding budget would rise from $2.7bn to $6.35bn for the four-year cycle.
Each of FIFA’s 211 member associations would receive $25m, while the six continental confederations would be allocated $99m each.
The 13 zonal and regional associations would receive $8.25m each, with an additional $1.1m earmarked for travel and equipment support for 100 member associations.
The funding would cover a range of development programmes, including infrastructure, women’s football, youth development and grassroots initiatives.
FIFA also plans to allocate the money across different areas to ensure that key aspects of the game benefit from the increased investment.
Under the proposed framework, one-third of the funding would be dedicated to women’s and youth football development, while another third would support infrastructure projects, with equal access for women’s and youth football.
The remaining third would be allocated to other projects.
The FIFA Council is expected to finalise the eligibility criteria, application procedures, approval processes, disbursement arrangements and audit requirements at its next meeting in December 2026.
The proposal would then require approval at the 77th FIFA Congress scheduled for March 2027 before implementation.
Infantino, who is expected to seek a fourth term as FIFA president in March 2027, has faced growing calls from football administrators for greater financial assistance to member associations.
If approved, the proposed increase would provide additional resources for football development worldwide, particularly in countries where limited funding has restricted investment in facilities, grassroots programmes and youth competitions.
However, the final allocation framework and implementation of the funding will depend on approval by FIFA’s governing bodies.
