FIFA is set to propose a $6.35 billion funding initiative for soccer development from 2027 to 2030, with each national association receiving a boosted amount of $25 million. The plan, outlined in a document seen by The Associated Press, aims to utilize the financial gains from the recent World Cup to bolster investment in football development across 211 FIFA member associations and other stakeholders.
Initially, each association was slated to receive $10 million over the four-year period. According to the document dated October 14, FIFA intends to allocate over $3.5 billion from its financial reserves, citing the remarkable commercial success of the expanded 48-team World Cup.
This move coincides with efforts by European soccer leaders to find a challenger to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is seeking re-election next year. Infantino’s controversial World Cup private investment proposal, which was swiftly withdrawn in July, spurred UEFA into action.
The financial blueprint is expected to be finalized by the FIFA council in December 2026, pending approval at the 77th FIFA Congress in March 2027. FIFA also plans to provide $99 million to each of the six continental confederations, aiming to significantly increase funding for investment and growth in women’s and youth football.
In a parallel development, UEFA revealed plans in August to file a criminal complaint against Infantino in Switzerland over potential financial irregularities in the World Cup commercialization deal. UEFA’s 55 members represent a substantial voting bloc within FIFA’s electoral process, with the upcoming election scheduled for March 18 in Rabat, Morocco.
