The key facts

  • FIFA proposes a four-year development fund of $6.35 billion (€5.5 billion), with $25 million for each national association — instead of the originally planned $10 million.
  • More than $3.5 billion is planned to be distributed from reserves; expected revenue for the 2022–2026 cycle is about $15 billion, exceeding forecasts.
  • In August, UEFA announced it was preparing a criminal complaint against Infantino in Switzerland; the FIFA presidential election will take place on March 18 in Rabat, and candidates must declare by November 18.

Development fund proposal

FIFA has proposed creating a four-year development fund for world football with a budget of $6.35 billion (€5.5 billion), under which each national association would receive $25 million (€21.5 million). This was reported by the Associated Press, citing a letter from FIFA President Gianni Infantino sent on September 28 to the heads of the six continental confederations. According to AP, the final version of the plan is to be prepared by the FIFA Council in December and approved at the organization's congress in March.

Quotes and sources

“FIFA's financial success must serve the interests of football and all 211 FIFA member associations,” the letter from Infantino says. He also expressed confidence that “together we can achieve a sustainable and reliably secured result both for the FIFA member associations and for football worldwide.” Two officials, who wished to remain unnamed because the proposal has not been officially announced, told AP that FIFA plans to distribute more than $3.5 billion (€3 billion) from reserves replenished thanks to the success of the World Cup featuring 48 teams. According to them, FIFA expects about $15 billion (€12.9 billion) in revenue for the 2022–2026 cycle, which includes the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico — significantly exceeding previous forecasts. It was originally assumed that each association would receive $10 million (€8.6 million) over four years.

Infantino under scrutiny and the election

In August, UEFA announced it was preparing a criminal complaint against Infantino in Switzerland over possible financial abuses related to a deal on the commercial rights to the World Cup; the organization also turned to a US court for evidence. The 55 UEFA associations represent more than a quarter of FIFA's 211 voting members in the presidential election on March 18 in Rabat (Morocco). Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016 and intends to be re-elected, said last month that he was ready for an independent audit of the governance system and possible reforms. Candidates wishing to challenge his re-election must enter the race by November 18.