FIFA Proposes $6.35 Billion Development Fund as Infantino Bids for Re-election

FIFA to Put $6.35 Billion on the Table as Infantino Seeks Re-election

FIFA will propose a $6.35 billion development fund for its next four-year cycle, including a boosted $25 million for each of its 211 member associations, according to two people with knowledge of the plan and a letter from president Gianni Infantino reviewed by The Associated Press. The offer, contained in a letter sent to the leaders of the six continental confederations on September 28, would more than double the $10 million per association originally earmarked for the period.

The windfall is funded by the financial success of the 48-team World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. FIFA estimates around $15 billion in revenue across the 2022-26 cycle, comfortably above projections, and plans to distribute more than $3.5 billion from its reserves. Each of the six continental confederations would receive $99 million under the proposal, which is expected to be finalized at an upcoming FIFA council meeting and put to a vote at the congress in March.

A Vote-Shaping Package

The timing is hard to ignore. Infantino, FIFA president since 2016, is seeking re-election at the March 18 congress in Rabat, Morocco, and any challenger must enter the race by a November 18 deadline. His divisive World Cup private investment plan — scrapped within days of being revealed in July — prompted UEFA to prepare a criminal complaint against him in Switzerland over possible financial mismanagement in the World Cup rights sell-off, and to ask US courts to authorize discovery of evidence.

In his letter, Infantino wrote that members' submissions confirmed 'broad agreement on the central objective: FIFA's financial success must serve football and all FIFA's 211 member associations.' He has also signaled openness to an independent review of FIFA's governance system and a willingness to consider reforms.

No Challenger in Sight

European critics have so far struggled to field a candidate. Lise Klaveness, the Norwegian federation head and long-time Infantino critic, has impressed many observers but has ruled herself out of running. Marketing veterans are skeptical that the opposition can force change, with former IOC marketing chief Michael Payne warning that the lack of backing from leading football nations such as Spain, France and England could prove damaging, while bid strategist Terrence Burns argued Infantino 'holds all the cards and always has.'

For member associations, the calculus may ultimately come down to money. If there is a 'financial upside' for the federations in removing Infantino, Burns noted, 'again, there isn't.' A $25 million development cheque per association is the clearest signal yet of how the incumbent intends to make that point.

Sources: Associated Press (October 14, 2026) and Agence France-Presse (October 12, 2026).