Infantino backs greater FIFA funding as council prepares to consider payouts

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has signalled support for increasing payments to member associations from the governing body's cash reserves, without committing to a specific amount. BBC Sport reported that a letter sent to the six continental confederations on Monday, September 28, backed additional funding at a level FIFA could responsibly afford.

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The intervention follows a demand from UEFA and Concacaf for an extra $10 million for each of FIFA's 211 members. According to the BBC, the FIFA Council will consider the proposal on October 15. Infantino's response leaves the size of any distribution unresolved: he said a starting figure alone could not determine a worldwide funding policy.

The financial case for that request was outlined earlier this month. ITV News reported on September 18 that the two confederations expected FIFA's post-World Cup cash reserves to reach $6 billion. Their proposed one-off distribution would total approximately $2.1 billion, making it a payment to the entire membership rather than a fund restricted to selected associations.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and Concacaf president Victor Montagliani also sought a full, independent examination of FIFA's finances before the October council meeting in Zurich, ITV reported. Their letter said previously promised funding of $20 million for each association through 2030 should remain intact. The proposed additional payment was therefore presented separately from those existing commitments.

The latest discussions follow the withdrawal of FIFA Forward Enterprise, a plan involving private investment in commercial rights. In a separate letter reported by Sky News on September 21, Infantino proposed asking the council to commission an external governance review. He also outlined consultation with confederations, national associations and other stakeholders on how FIFA makes major decisions, including greater transparency and clearer institutional responsibilities.

In Monday's letter, Infantino again defended the abandoned commercial proposal as an effort to increase investment in football, the BBC reported. His support for considering larger payments does not settle whether the requested $10 million per association will be approved; the council's consideration remains ahead.