FIFA president Gianni Infantino has apologised over the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, while the governing body has outlined plans to increase football development funding to $6.35 billion following the commercial success of the 2026 World Cup.
The announcement came after Thursday’s FIFA Council meeting in Zurich, where Infantino addressed criticism surrounding the abandoned project and reiterated his commitment to investing in football across the world.
The proposed FIFA Surplus Solidarity Programme would more than double planned development funding for the 2027-2030 cycle, with each of FIFA’s 211 member associations set to receive up to $25 million.
However, the plans still require further approval, while questions surrounding FIFA’s governance and the handling of the original proposal remain unresolved
FIFA Proposes $6.35 Billion Football Development Package
The proposed $6.35 billion package follows what FIFA described as unprecedented commercial returns from the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup.
FIFA estimates a surplus of between $5.2 billion and $5.6 billion for the 2023-2026 financial cycle, although that forecast has not yet been audited.
Under the proposed programme, funding would be increased across member associations, confederations, regional organisations and other stakeholders.
Each member association would receive $25 million over the 2027-2030 period, while FIFA would retain $1.7 billion in reserves to protect against unforeseen circumstances.
The funding would support areas including women's football, youth development, infrastructure and long-term projects.
FIFA says the increased investment would help expand access to the game and strengthen football development in countries around the world.
Infantino Apologises Over Withdrawn FIFA Forward Enterprise Proposal
The funding announcement came amid continued scrutiny of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a proposal that would have moved FIFA's commercial and operational event activities into a subsidiary organisation.
The initiative attracted significant criticism after details emerged in August, with concerns raised over the lack of consultation with key stakeholders and the potential implications for football governance.
Infantino acknowledged mistakes in how the proposal had been handled and communicated, confirming that it had been permanently withdrawn and would not return in any form.
He said the intention had been to increase investment in football development, but recognised the need to move forward with greater unity.
The FIFA president also highlighted the scale of the proposed funding increase during his address to the council.
"In ten years since I became FIFA President, we have gone from USD 1 million per FIFA Member Association to USD 25 million each – all across the world," Infantino said.
Governance Concerns Persist Despite Infantino’s Apology
Despite Infantino's apology, the controversy surrounding the abandoned initiative has not disappeared.
Representatives from England and Germany have continued to raise concerns about the process, with English Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt calling for greater transparency and further answers about the proposal.
German Football Association president Bernd Neuendorf has also called for a broader overhaul of FIFA's governance.
The FIFA Council has agreed to establish a working group to examine potential governance reforms, while FIFA's standing committees will review disciplinary procedures and the FIFA Peace Prize.
The meeting also included discussions about confidential legal proceedings in the United States, limiting the information FIFA says it can disclose publicly.
The disagreements underline the challenge facing Infantino as he attempts to rebuild confidence in the organisation while maintaining support among its 211 member associations.
When Could FIFA’s $6.35 Billion Funding Package Be Approved?
The $6.35 billion package remains a proposal rather than a fully approved funding commitment.
FIFA's relevant committees will finalise the programme's eligibility criteria, application processes, approval procedures, distribution arrangements and auditing requirements.
The FIFA Council is expected to consider the completed plans at its next meeting in December 2026, before the package is included in FIFA's 2026 Annual Report.
Final approval will then be subject to the 77th FIFA Congress in March 2027.
If approved, the programme would represent a substantial increase in FIFA's planned investment in the global game for the following four-year cycle.
A Major Funding Boost, but Governance Questions Remain
The proposed investment package gives FIFA an opportunity to direct more of its World Cup revenue towards football development around the world.
For smaller football associations in particular, increased funding could provide additional resources for facilities, youth programmes and the development of women's football.
However, the announcement also arrives at a difficult moment for Infantino, with criticism of FIFA's decision-making processes continuing despite the withdrawal of FIFA Forward Enterprise.
The coming months will therefore be important on two fronts: securing approval for the new funding package and demonstrating that concerns over transparency and governance are being taken seriously.
For now, FIFA has outlined an ambitious financial plan. Whether it can turn that proposal into an approved programme while restoring confidence among its critics remains to be seen.
