Gianni Infantino signals bigger FIFA payouts as 211 members eye share of $6bn reserves

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has opened the door to a significant increase in funding for all 211 member associations, with the governing body set to consider proposals for releasing part of its reported $6 billion reserves.

Infantino has told the presidents of FIFA’s six confederations that he will support the highest level of additional funding that can be responsibly delivered through the organisation’s governance structures, although he stopped short of committing to the proposed $10 million payment for each member association.

The development follows growing calls from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, Concacaf president Victor Montagliani and Asian Football Confederation chief Shaikh Salman for FIFA to increase direct financial support to its members.

FIFA Council to decide on October 15

In a letter sent on Monday to the six confederation presidents and copied to members of the FIFA Council, Infantino confirmed that the proposals will be reviewed at the council’s meeting on October 15.

He has instructed FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom to consolidate the various submissions and prepare an integrated assessment ahead of that meeting.

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

The FIFA president added: “A single figure can begin the discussion, but it cannot complete a global policy. I have therefore instructed the Secretary General to consolidate all submissions into one integrated assessment for consideration by the FIFA Council on 15 October 2026.”

Infantino also welcomed the different proposals, despite acknowledging that the confederations may have different ideas about how additional funding should be distributed.

“I welcome the constructive intent reflected in each of your letters,” he said. “We may differ on the best route forward, but I have no doubt that each of us wants what is best for FIFA, its Member Associations and football.”

$10m proposal on the table

The push for increased funding comes after Ceferin and Montagliani initially wrote to their fellow FIFA vice-presidents, including Shaikh Salman, FIFA vice-president Alejandro Dominguez, Lambert Maltock and Patrice Motsepe.

The proposal called for FIFA to make a one-off release from its reserves and provide at least $10 million to each of its 211 member associations during the 2027-30 cycle.

That would represent a potential minimum distribution of $2.11 billion if the full proposal were adopted.

The calls have gained momentum following the financial success of the 2026 World Cup.

Infantino addresses abandoned FFE plan

The latest funding debate comes after FIFA withdrew the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which had attracted scrutiny over plans to commercialise FIFA’s competitions and increase resources available for football development.

Infantino directly addressed the abandoned project in his letter, insisting that its objective had been to generate additional investment rather than replace funding that could come from FIFA’s existing resources.

“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 said.

He has now asked the confederation presidents supporting the increased funding proposal to provide detailed documentation, including financial models, assumptions and supporting information, so the figures can be examined before the council meeting.

According to Infantino, the UEFA and Concacaf proposals focus on a direct allocation of funds, while Shaikh Salman has stressed the need for a clear decision and a defined timeframe. Maltock, meanwhile, has highlighted the structural financial challenges confronting developing confederations.

FIFA faces fresh funding debate

The proposed increase would come on top of FIFA’s existing commitment to development across its 211 members.

For many associations, additional direct funding could provide more resources for infrastructure, national teams, grassroots programmes, coaching and competitions.

However, Infantino has made clear that the size and structure of any new distribution remain undecided.

The October 15 FIFA Council meeting will therefore be the next major step in determining whether the governing body will unlock more of its financial reserves and, if so, how much each of its 211 members could receive.

The funding discussion also comes at a politically significant moment for Infantino. He remains the only declared candidate for the 2027 FIFA presidential election, with the deadline for additional candidates to enter the race set for November 18.