UEFA and CONCACAF leaders have called on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to distribute an additional $10 million to each of the world’s 211 national football associations, proposing that FIFA use part of its financial reserves to support football development worldwide.
According to reports, a letter was sent to Infantino claiming that FIFA’s financial reserves are expected to rise to approximately $6 billion. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani, both FIFA vice presidents, reportedly urged the governing body to allocate $2.1 billion in additional funding for infrastructure and football development.
The proposal comes as FIFA prepares to provide $8 million to each member association between 2027 and 2030. The planned funding is intended to support infrastructure, coaching, national teams, competitions, grassroots football and women’s football.
Čeferin and Montagliani reportedly argued that FIFA could distribute the additional funds while maintaining reserves of at least $1.5 billion.
FIFA has projected that the 2023–2026 World Cup cycle will generate approximately $15 billion, significantly increasing the governing body’s reserves from the $2.7 billion reported in its previous annual accounts.
The letter was also reportedly shared with members of the FIFA Council.
Dispute Over World Cup Investment Proposal
The funding demand comes amid disagreements between FIFA leadership and European and North American football authorities over a proposed commercial venture involving the World Cup.
Infantino previously faced criticism over plans to sell a 20 percent stake in the World Cup to private investors through a reported $20 billion venture. UEFA and CONCACAF opposed the proposal, with UEFA pursuing legal action over concerns that the agreement was undervalued and could benefit Infantino.
The proposal was subsequently abandoned following widespread criticism. Infantino had also faced allegations that national associations were being pressured to approve the plan within a short period or risk missing out on potential financial benefits over the following 12 years.
FIFA has denied wrongdoing and described the criticism as part of a smear campaign against Infantino, who is seeking re-election next year.
Infantino’s Maldives Visit
The developments are also relevant to the Maldives, following Infantino’s visit to the country in October last year, when he pledged FIFA’s support for football development in the Maldives.
Infantino’s visit was the first by a FIFA president to the Maldives in 19 years. The previous FIFA president to visit the country was Sepp Blatter, who travelled to the Maldives in the early 2000s.
The proposed additional funding could have implications for national associations worldwide, particularly in countries seeking greater investment in football infrastructure, coaching, grassroots development and national-team programmes.
