FIFA President Gianni Infantino has instructed a review of proposals to distribute more funds to national football associations, following requests from UEFA and CONCACAF to allocate $2.1 billion from the organization's reserves. However, Infantino did not commit to a specific amount. In a letter to the presidents of the six continental football associations, Infantino stated that the evaluation will be presented to the FIFA Council on October 15.
The review comes after UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani proposed that each of the 211 FIFA member associations receive at least $10 million during the 2027-2030 cycle, in addition to existing development funding. They also called for an independent review of FIFA's reserves, which are expected to reach around $6 billion by the end of 2026.
Infantino defended the commercial plan that was withdrawn, stating that it would have provided more funding for football than what FIFA can currently distribute from its resources. He emphasized that the plan was meant to supplement, not replace, the existing support provided to member associations. The withdrawn plan, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise, was abandoned in July due to opposition from continental associations.
The dispute has led to calls for changes to FIFA's governance. Infantino stated that FIFA's management was already exploring ways to provide more development and solidarity funding before receiving proposals from continental associations. He requested that the presidents of the continental associations submit their financial models, assumptions, and supporting information to the Secretary General.
Infantino emphasized that any additional funding will be subject to financial scrutiny and formal approval. He instructed the FIFA Council to determine the size and timing of any additional payments, as well as the necessary reserve levels to protect FIFA's commitments and financial independence. The evaluation will also consider support for continental associations with verifiable structural costs.
The review is expected to be completed by October 15, with a recommendation to the FIFA Council. If sufficient evidence is not available, the Council will be asked to approve a "shortest reasonable timeline" to complete the work. Infantino expressed his commitment to supporting the highest level of additional funding that can be responsibly provided through FIFA's governance process.
Infantino reiterated his call for proposals to strengthen FIFA's decision-making mechanisms, urging continental association presidents to respect decisions made through established institutional processes. He emphasized that trust is built through open consultation, fact-based discussion, and respect for decisions made through democratic and institutional processes.
Key points
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino has ordered a review of proposals to distribute more funds to national football associations.
- The review is expected to be completed by October 15, with a recommendation to the FIFA Council.
- Infantino emphasized that any additional funding will be subject to financial scrutiny and formal approval.
