Fifa is set to propose a $3.4 billion (£2.6 billion) increase in the amount it distributes to football development across the world.
World football’s governing body wants to release money from its reserves, which would more than double the level of distribution funding planned for 2027-30.
The group says it was able to unlock the extra money thanks to the commercial success of this summer’s World Cup.
The proposal will be made at a Fifa council meeting on Thursday and comes at a time when the organization is under pressure following President Gianni Infantino’s aborted Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) project.
Infantino wanted to sell his stakes in the World Cup and other competitions to private investors, but his proposal was heavily criticized, with UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation questioning his position.
UEFA and Concacaf wrote to Infantino in September demanding that Fifa pay at least $10m (£7.5m) of its cash reserves to each of the 211 member associations.
In a letter later sent to Fifa’s six continental confederations, Infantino – who will run for a fourth time in March 2027 – said he would support “the greatest level of additional funding that can be provided responsibly”.
Fifa will now offer additional funds from its reserves on top of the current $2.7 billion (£2.05 billion) budgeted to be paid to all 211 member associations, confederations, regional associations and some non-Fifa associations.
In total, Fifa will now spend $6.35 billion (£4.83 billion) on football development for the 2027-2030 cycle, with a focus on investment and development in women’s and youth football.
The distribution is as follows:
• $25 million (£19 million) per member association
• $99 million (£75 million) for each of the six confederations
• $8.25 million (£6.3 million) for each of the 13 zonal/regional associations
• $1.1 million (£836,000) for 100 member associations for travel and equipment solidarity
The distribution methods would be as follows:
• A third would be allocated to the development of women’s and junior football.
• A third would be allocated to infrastructure (including equal access to women’s and junior football)
• A third would be allocated to projects
The plan, including eligibility, application, approval, disbursement, monitoring and audit requirements, will be finalized by the Fifa Council at its next meeting in December 2026.
Everything will be submitted for approval to the 77th FIFA Congress in March 2027.
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