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FIFA is preparing to inject an additional $3.4 billion into football development worldwide, a proposal that would more than double its planned funding for the 2027 to 2030 cycle and strengthen investment in the game at every level.
The world football governing body intends to release the additional money from its financial reserves, citing the commercial success of this summer's World Cup as the reason it can afford the increased spending. The proposal is expected to be presented to the FIFA Council on Thursday, ahead of further consideration at meetings scheduled for December and March 2027.
If approved, the additional funding would raise FIFA's total development expenditure for the four year period to $6.35 billion, compared with the $2.7 billion previously budgeted. The money would be distributed among the organisation's 211 member associations, six continental confederations, regional bodies and selected non affiliated associations.
Under the proposed arrangement, each member association would receive $25 million, while each continental confederation would receive $99 million. Thirteen zonal and regional associations would receive $8.25 million each. A further $1.1 million would be allocated to 100 member associations to support travel and equipment.
FIFA intends to divide the funding into three equal portions. One third would support women's and youth football, another would go towards infrastructure, and the remaining share would finance development projects. The final rules governing applications, eligibility, approval, distribution and auditing are expected to be settled before the proposal is submitted to the FIFA Congress in March 2027.
The announcement comes amid growing scrutiny of president Gianni Infantino's leadership following criticism of his proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise plan. The initiative, which sought to sell stakes in the World Cup and other competitions to private investors, faced resistance from several major football confederations.
UEFA and Concacaf had previously urged FIFA to distribute at least $10 million from its reserves to each member association. Infantino subsequently indicated that he would support the highest level of additional funding that could responsibly be provided.
Meanwhile, FIFA is also considering changes to its disciplinary regulations following controversy surrounding United States striker Folarin Balogun, whose red card suspension was lifted, allowing him to avoid missing a World Cup match. The episode raised questions about political interference after US President Donald Trump said he had contacted Infantino about the ban.
A proposed amendment would explicitly prevent automatic one match suspensions for red cards from being overturned, potentially tightening disciplinary rules as FIFA prepares for its next funding cycle.
