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FIFA will propose a $6.35 billion (€5.5 billion) four-year development fund, including $25 million (€21.5 million) for each national association, according to news agency Associated Press (AP).
On 28 September, FIFA President Gianni Infantino sent the proposal to the heads of football’s six continental confederations. The plan is expected to be finalised by the FIFA Council in December and approved at its congress in March, according to a letter reviewed by AP.
“Taken together, your submissions confirm broad agreement on the central objective: FIFA’s financial success must serve football and all FIFA’s 211 member associations,” Infantino said in the letter.
“I am confident that together we can reach a sustainable and properly supported outcome for FIFA’s member associations and for football in every part of the world.”
FIFA plans to reinvest revenue from the latest World Cup into football development across its member associations, confederations and other stakeholders. Each association was initially set to receive $10 million (€8.6 million) over four years.
FIFA plans to distribute more than $3.5 billion (€3 billion) from reserves boosted by the success of the 48-team World Cup, according to two officials who spoke anonymously as the proposal has yet to be announced.
FIFA expects around $15 billion (€12.9 billion) in revenue for the 2022–2026 cycle, including the men’s World Cup hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, significantly exceeding projections, the officials told AP.
Infantino under scrutiny
In August, UEFA announced it was preparing a criminal complaint against Infantino in Switzerland over possible financial mismanagement linked to a World Cup commercial rights deal. It also sought court approval in the US to obtain evidence.
UEFA’s 55 member associations represent more than a quarter of FIFA’s 211 voting members ahead of the presidential election on 18 March in Rabat, Morocco.
Last month, Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016 and is seeking re-election next year, expressed openness to an independent review of FIFA’s governance and possible reforms.
Candidates seeking to challenge Infantino must enter the race by 18 November.
Additional sources • AP