Full Breakdown
FIFA Proposes $6.35 Billion Development Fund Ahead of 2022-26 Cycle
By Drooid · · How we work
Proposal Overview
FIFA plans to present its members with a $6.35 billion development fund for the 2022-26 cycle. The proposal would raise the baseline grant for each of the 211 national associations from $10 million to $25 million over four years. The plan, confirmed by a letter reviewed by the Associated Press, is slated for discussion at the upcoming FIFA council meeting and a later congress.
Funding Sources and Allocation
FIFA estimates roughly $15 billion in revenue for the 2022-26 period, driven largely by the men’s World Cup hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. From its financial reserves, the organization intends to allocate more than $3.5 billion toward development, including $99 million earmarked for each of the six continental confederations. The increased per-association grant and the confederation allocations together constitute the core of the $6.35 billion proposal.
Governance and Political Context
The funding plan emerges as Gianni Infantino, FIFA president since 2016, seeks re-election in the March 18 vote in Rabat, Morocco. European soccer leaders, particularly UEFA, have signaled opposition; UEFA announced in August that it is preparing a criminal complaint in Switzerland over alleged financial mismanagement related to the World Cup sell-off deal. UEFA’s 55 member federations represent more than a quarter of FIFA’s voting bloc. Any challenger to Infantino must declare candidacy by mid-November, and Infantino has indicated willingness to consider an independent governance review.
Impact on Member Associations
If approved, each national association would receive a $25 million boost, potentially enhancing grassroots programs, infrastructure projects, and coaching development across all continents. The additional $99 million per confederation is intended to support regional initiatives and ensure that the financial gains from the recent World Cup translate into broader, sustainable growth for football worldwide.
Upcoming Decisions
The proposal will be finalized at the forthcoming FIFA council meeting before being submitted for approval at the congress scheduled for March 18. The outcome will shape the financial landscape for FIFA’s 211 members and influence the broader debate over governance reforms ahead of the presidential election.
