FIFA is planning to spend $6.35 billion on global football development between 2027 and 2030 under a proposed funding increase of $3.4 billion for member associations and other football organisations.
According to a report by BBC Sport on Wednesday, the world football governing body intends to draw on its financial reserves to more than double the amount initially budgeted for distribution during the four-year period.
FIFA attributed the proposed increase to the commercial success of this summer’s World Cup. The plan is expected to be considered by the FIFA Council on Thursday.
The proposal comes amid growing pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to provide greater financial support to national football associations, following opposition to his proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, which sought to attract private investors through stakes in the World Cup and other competitions.
UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation were among the stakeholders that opposed the plan.
In September, UEFA and Concacaf wrote to Infantino, urging FIFA to distribute at least $10 million from its reserves to each of its 211 member associations.
Infantino subsequently told the six continental confederations that he would support the highest level of additional funding that could responsibly be provided.
Under the new proposal, FIFA’s existing $2.7 billion development budget would rise to $6.35 billion for the 2027–2030 cycle.
The proposed allocation includes $25 million for each member association and $99 million for each of the six continental confederations. The 13 zonal and regional associations would receive $8.25 million each, while 100 member associations would qualify for an additional $1.1 million each for travel and equipment.
FIFA also plans to channel funding into infrastructure, women’s football, youth development and other projects.
Under the proposed framework, one-third of the money would support women’s and youth football development, another third would be allocated to infrastructure with equal access for women’s and youth football, while the remaining portion would fund other eligible projects.
The FIFA Council is expected to finalise eligibility requirements, application procedures, approval processes, disbursement arrangements and audit mechanisms at its next meeting in December 2026.
The proposal would then require approval at the 77th FIFA Congress scheduled for March 2027.
Infantino, who is expected to seek a fourth term as FIFA president in March 2027, has faced calls from football administrators for increased financial support to member associations.
If approved, the funding package would provide additional resources for football development worldwide, particularly in countries seeking to improve facilities, grassroots programmes and youth competitions. However, its implementation will depend on approval by FIFA’s governing bodies.
