Infantino Signals Willingness to Distribute Additional Funds to FIFA Member Nations

October 13, Kathmandu – FIFA President Gianni Infantino has indicated his readiness to provide additional funds to FIFA member nations from the organization’s reserve fund. In a letter obtained by BBC Sports, Infantino expressed support for distributing the ‘maximum level of additional funds’ responsibly from FIFA’s estimated £440 million cash reserve.

The European Football Association (UEFA) and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) have requested FIFA to allocate $10 million to each of its 211 member nations from this reserve. This proposal is set to be discussed at the FIFA Council meeting on October 15.

In the letter, Infantino stated that he has not yet formed a definitive opinion on the exact amount. “A certain figure can start the conversation, but it is not sufficient to establish a global policy,” he wrote. Recently, Infantino has faced growing pressure due to the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan. This initiative proposed selling shares of the commercial rights to the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors, but FIFA withdrew the plan following widespread criticism.

Through his latest correspondence, Infantino defended the retracted plan, arguing that its aim was to raise additional funds for greater investment in football. Earlier this month, Debbie Hewitt, Chairwoman of the Football Association of England and FIFA Vice President, had demanded that Infantino publicly release all documents related to the FFE plan. She also called for an independent review of the initiative.

Infantino is preparing to run for a fourth term as FIFA President in March 2027. Potential challengers will have until November 18 to propose alternate candidates.