Infantino Ready to Increase Funding for All 211 FIFA Members

Paris (AFP) – FIFA President Gianni Infantino has opened the door to significant increases in funding allocated to the organization’s 211 member associations, with the FIFA Council set to consider additional payments during its meeting on October 15.

In a letter addressed to the presidents of FIFA’s six continental confederations, Infantino said he would support “the maximum possible additional funding that can be provided responsibly,” but warned that any figure currently under discussion does not represent an approved commitment.

Infantino clarified that the previously abandoned proposal to sell a share of World Cup commercial rights, which had sparked calls for his resignation, was primarily aimed at generating additional funds for football.

He wrote: “The objective of the recent commercial proposal, which has now been withdrawn, was to enable FIFA to invest more in football.”

On September 18, two of Infantino’s critics—UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin of Slovenia and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani of Canada—stated that every FIFA member association should receive $10 million during the four-year period between 2027 and 2030.

Infantino responded by indicating his willingness to consider other offers, stating: “I will support the maximum possible additional funding that can be provided responsibly through sound governance practices at FIFA.”

FIFA confirmed in September that Infantino would run again for the presidency in the elections scheduled for March next year, despite the angry backlash over his later-abandoned plan to attract private investment for both the men’s and women’s World Cups.

Infantino is not lacking allies; Saudi Arabia, which will host the 2034 World Cup, announced its support for him last month, while both the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and CONMEBOL have also expressed their backing.