FIFA plans $6.35 billion development fund with $25 million per association

FIFA is preparing a $6.35 billion football development package for 2027-2030, with $25 million earmarked for each of its 211 member associations. Euronews, citing Associated Press reporting, said the proposed fund would increase the amount available to national associations from an initially planned $10 million each.

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The money would draw on reserves strengthened by the 2026 World Cup. According to officials quoted by AP in the Euronews report, FIFA expects revenue of about $15 billion for the 2022-2026 cycle, exceeding its projections. That cycle includes the men's tournament hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The package remains a proposal, not an approved distribution.

BBC Sport reported that the allocation would extend beyond national associations. Each of the six continental confederations would receive $99 million, while 13 regional or zonal associations would each receive $8.25 million. A further provision would allocate $1.1 million apiece to 100 member associations for travel and equipment support, alongside the broader development funding.

The proposed spending rules would divide funding into three equal parts, according to the BBC. One would support women's and youth football, another would finance infrastructure, and the third would cover projects. Infrastructure funded through the programme would also have to provide equal access for women's and youth football.

Euronews reported that Gianni Infantino sent the proposal to the heads of the six confederations on September 28. In that letter, reviewed by AP, the FIFA president described agreement that the organisation's financial success should benefit football and its membership. Infantino is seeking re-election next year and last month expressed openness to an independent governance review and possible reforms.

The BBC said the proposal would go before FIFA's council on Thursday, with detailed rules due to be finalised at its December 2026 meeting. Those rules would cover eligibility, applications, approvals, payments, controls and audits. The package would then require approval at the 77th FIFA Congress in March 2027 before the proposed funding arrangements could be treated as confirmed.