FIFA has proposed more than doubling its football development investment to $6.35 billion for the 2027-2030 period, following strong commercial returns from the 2026 World Cup.
The proposed FIFA Surplus Solidarity Programme was presented to the FIFA Council at its meeting in Zurich on Thursday, October 15. If approved, individual member associations could receive up to $25 million.
The scheme would use part of FIFA’s reserves to provide additional funding for its 211 member associations, confederations, regional and zonal associations, and other football stakeholders.
FIFA’s proposal is based on an unaudited surplus forecast of between $5.2 billion and $5.6 billion for the 2023-2026 financial cycle.
Under the plans, FIFA’s administration would retain $1.7 billion in reserves for unforeseen circumstances. This is in line with the organisation’s requirement to balance revenue and expenditure during each four-year cycle.
Funding would be tied to projects supporting women’s and youth football, long-term development programmes and football infrastructure.
Funding still requires approval
FIFA said the programme was designed to broaden access to football and strengthen development in every region. A greater proportion of the investment would be distributed through national associations.
The organisation added that the proposed increase would reinforce its commitment to supporting football development worldwide.
However, the plan has not yet been approved. FIFA said the relevant committees would first establish the programme’s eligibility criteria, application procedures, approval processes, disbursement arrangements and audit controls.
The proposal is due to return to the FIFA Council in December 2026.
If it is backed by the Council, the programme will be included in FIFA’s 2026 Annual Report before being submitted for approval at the 77th FIFA Congress in March 2027.
Approval would substantially increase the funding available to national associations between 2027 and 2030. FIFA said the investment could support improvements to football infrastructure, youth development and the continued growth of the women’s game.
