Fifa is set to propose a $3.4bn (£2.6bn) increase in the money it distributes for football development worldwide. The world football governing body wants to release the funds from its reserves, a move that would more than double the planned distribution funding for 2027-2030. Fifa says the extra cash is possible thanks to the commercial success of this summer's World Cup. The proposal will be put to Fifa's council at a meeting on Thursday.
The announcement comes as the organisation faces pressure following president Gianni Infantino's aborted Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan. Infantino had wanted to sell stakes in the World Cup and other competitions to private investors, but the proposal drew heavy criticism, with Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation questioning his position. Uefa and Concacaf had earlier called on Fifa to pay at least $10m (£7.5m) from its reserves to each of the 211 member associations.
Under the new plan, Fifa will spend a total of $6.35bn (£4.83bn) on football development in the 2027-2030 cycle, on top of the current $2.7bn (£2.05bn) budget. Each member association will receive $25m (£19m), each of the six confederations $99m (£75m), and each of the 13 zonal or regional associations $8.25m (£6.3m). The funds will focus on women's and youth football, infrastructure and projects.
The detailed plan will be finalised by the Fifa council in December 2026 and is subject to approval by the 77th Fifa congress in March 2027.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing