FIFA President Infantino backs increased funding for member associations: Report

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has signaled support for distributing more money to member associations from the world football governing body’s $6 billion reserves, The Athletic reported Monday.

Infantino told the presidents of FIFA’s six continental confederations that proposals for additional funding would be considered by the FIFA Council at its Oct. 15 meeting, according to the report.

The move follows calls for increased funding from UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, Concacaf President Victor Montagliani and Asian Football Confederation President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.

“I will not prejudge the amount,” Infantino said.

“I will support the greatest level of additional funding that can responsibly be delivered through FIFA’s proper governance process, applied fairly and supported by transparent and auditable arrangements.”

Ceferin and Montagliani proposed on Sept. 18 that FIFA make at least $10 million available to each of its 211 member associations during the 2027-30 cycle through a one-off release from its reserves, in addition to existing FIFA Forward funding.

Infantino instructed FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom to consolidate the proposals into a single assessment ahead of the Oct. 15 meeting and asked Ceferin, Montagliani and Shaikh Salman to provide financial models, assumptions and supporting information.

“A single figure can begin the discussion, but it cannot complete a global policy,” Infantino said.

“The recent commercial proposal, now withdrawn, was intended to enable FIFA to invest more in football — not to replace support that could responsibly be provided from existing resources,” he added.

Infantino faced intense pushback over the now-abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, which would have involved selling up to a 20% stake in a company controlling commercial rights to the World Cup and other FIFA competitions.

Last week, Infantino reportedly sent a letter to FIFA Council members and the presidents of all 211 member associations outlining his openness to dialogue over reform at world football’s governing body.

Infantino is currently the sole candidate for next year’s FIFA presidential election, with a Nov. 18 deadline for other candidates to enter the race.