FIFA has proposed distributing an additional $15 million to each of its 211 member associations over the next four years, supplementing the existing $10 million allocated under its current Forward 4.0 programme. The plan, circulated to members of the FIFA Council ahead of Thursday’s meeting, would see total payments reach $25 million per association from 2027 to 2030.
This funding boost is made possible by FIFA’s substantial financial reserves, which have expanded to over $6 billion following the financial success of the recent 48-team World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Under the proposal, FIFA would allocate more than $3.5 billion from these reserves while maintaining a minimum reserve threshold of $1.7 billion.
The proposed disbursement includes stipulations on how the funds should be spent: $10 million designated for operational costs, another $10 million for specific projects, and $5 million earmarked exclusively for women’s and youth football. Member associations would retain autonomy over their priorities, subject to certain criteria governing fund usage.
The timing of this initiative coincides with FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s efforts to consolidate support ahead of the upcoming presidential election scheduled for March 18 in Rabat, Morocco. Infantino has faced mounting criticism and calls for his resignation from several leaders within European, North American, and Asian football confederations, particularly after the collapse of a controversial plan to sell stakes in future World Cups to private investors.
Detractors argue that the proposed funding plan underscores questions about the necessity of the previously attempted stake sales, suggesting that FIFA’s sizeable reserves could have supported associations without seeking external investment. Meanwhile, FIFA maintains that maintaining financial stability requires prudence, and the plan balances direct support with fiscal responsibility.
The election process continues, with the candidate nomination deadline set for November 18. To date, no challenger to Infantino has emerged with the required endorsements from at least five member associations. The contest unfolds amid ongoing tensions within global football governance, including UEFA’s announcement in August that it is preparing a criminal complaint against Infantino in Switzerland over alleged mismanagement related to the World Cup stake sale attempt. UEFA has also sought permission from U.S. courts to request evidence as part of its inquiry.
As the leadership contest approaches, FIFA’s new funding proposal represents both a strategic move to reaffirm its financial commitment to member associations and a response to ongoing scrutiny over governance and financial transparency.