FIFA plans an additional $3.4 billion for football development

FIFA plans to commit an additional $3.4 billion to developing football around the world. The proposal is due to be presented to the FIFA Council this Thursday, as the organisation faces pressure following the failure of a plan put forward by its president, Gianni Infantino.

FIFA intends to fund the package from its reserves. It says the commercial success of the tournament held this summer would enable it to provide the extra resources. The increase would more than double the funding planned for development over the 2027-2030 period.

The additional money would come on top of the $2.7 billion already set aside in the budget. It is intended to be distributed among 211 member associations, continental and regional federations, and some associations not affiliated with FIFA.

Overall, the organisation’s football development spending for the 2027-2030 cycle would reach $6.35 billion. FIFA plans to focus in particular on women’s football and youth football. The proposal is still to be presented to the Council: it is a planned increase in funding, not a decision that has already been approved.