FIFA is set to propose a $6.35 billion funding plan for soccer development from 2027 to 2030, with an increased allocation of $25 million for each national association. This initiative aims to leverage the financial gains from the recent World Cup to bolster investment in the growth of soccer across 211 FIFA member associations, confederations, and related entities. Originally, each association was slated to receive $10 million over four years.
The plan involves allocating over $3.5 billion from FIFA’s financial reserves, which surged following the success of the expanded 48-team World Cup. The organization anticipates generating around $15 billion in revenue from 2022 to 2026, driven by events like the men’s World Cup jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, surpassing earlier forecasts.
The proposal emerges amidst efforts by European soccer authorities to find a challenger to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Infantino, who assumed office in 2016, is seeking re-election next year. In a recent communication to the leaders of soccer’s six continental confederations, Infantino outlined the plan, expected to be finalized at the FIFA council meeting in December and endorsed at the congress in March.
Infantino expressed confidence in aligning the financial prosperity of FIFA with the collective benefit of all 211 member associations and global soccer in a letter to confederation leaders. The plan now includes a provision for $99 million for each of the six confederations, following a suggestion from these entities to utilize FIFA reserves.
UEFA, comprising 55 members within FIFA, has raised concerns over potential financial irregularities in the World Cup commercialization deal and initiated legal actions. Any contender challenging Infantino in the upcoming election must declare candidacy by November 18. Infantino has signaled openness to an independent review of FIFA’s governance framework and reforms in response to evolving dynamics.
