FIFA Funding Row: Infantino Signals Support For Biggest Possible Increase

FIFA president Infantino signals potential funding boost for all 211 members

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has opened the door to a substantial increase in funding for all 211 member associations, saying he will back the largest rise possible as the FIFA Council prepares to discuss additional payments next month.

FIFA president hints at rise in member funding amid $10m proposal...

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has hinted at a significant rise in funding for the governing body's 211 member associations, with the FIFA Council due to discuss extra payments at its meeting on October 15.

In a letter sent to the presidents of FIFA's six continental confederations on Monday, and seen by Agence France-Presse, Infantino said he would back “the greatest level of additional funding that can responsibly be delivered,” while stressing that no figure currently being discussed should be taken as an agreed commitment.

Infantino said the now-abandoned plan to sell a stake in the World Cup's commercial rights, which prompted calls for his resignation, had been designed to raise extra money for football.

“The recent commercial proposal, now withdrawn, was intended to enable FIFA to invest more in football,” Infantino wrote.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has opened the door to distributing more money to member associations from the governing body’s $6 billion reserves.

In a letter sent on Monday, seen by The Athletic, and sent to all six confederation presidents, who are also FIFA vice-presidents,… pic.twitter.com/OhpiZGerbZ

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) September 28, 2026

On September 18, two of Infantino's critics UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and CONCACAF chief Victor Montagliani said each of FIFA's member associations should receive $10 million over the four-year cycle from 2027-2030.

Infantino responded by indicating he would match any rival proposals.

“I will support the greatest level of additional funding that can responsibly be delivered through FIFA's proper governance process,” he said.

FIFA confirmed in early September that Infantino will run for president in the election next March, despite the backlash over his now-scrapped plan to bring private investment into the men's and women's World Cups.

Infantino is not without allies, 2034 World Cup hosts Saudi Arabia publicly backed him last month, with African football governing body CAF and South American counterpart CONMEBOL also supportive.