FIFA plans $635 million football development fund, Pakistan to get share

LONDON: Football’s world governing body, FIFA, has decided to increase funding for the development of the game after the record commercial success of the 2026 World Cup.

FIFA has drawn up a plan to invest $6.35 billion in the development of football around the world. Under it, it is proposed to provide up to $25 million to each of its 211 member countries. The proposed funding for 2027 to 2030 will be more than double.

Under the proposal, all 211 member countries, including Pakistan, will be able to receive additional funds.

Approval and priorities

Final approval of the new funding plan will be subject to the FIFA Congress in March 2027, while the FIFA Council will finalise the details at its meeting in December 2026.

In the distribution of funds, priority will be given to women’s and youth football and the development of infrastructure. FIFA has also proposed keeping reserves of $1.7 billion for emergencies.

Infantino apologises

FIFA President Gianni Infantino admitted mistakes over the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise project and apologised. He said the project had been withdrawn permanently and would not be brought back in any form.

He said FIFA’s funds were owned by its 211 member countries, and that over the past ten years a plan had been made to raise funding per member country from $1 million to $25 million. According to him, football is for everyone and everywhere.

The FIFA Council has decided to set up a working group to examine possible reforms in the organisation’s governance. The task of reviewing the FIFA Peace Prize has been given to the relevant committee, and a decision will be taken at the Council meeting in December.

The Council has also decided to review the procedure for disciplinary action against players. The disciplinary rules will be reviewed after the one-match suspension of American footballer Folarin Balogun was conditionally deferred. FIFA’s legal committee will present a report on this at the December meeting.