FIFA’s Council is due to discuss possible additional funding for the organisation’s member associations at its October 15 meeting, according to a letter from President Gianni Infantino to the heads of FIFA’s six regional confederations.

The proposed discussion comes as Infantino faces criticism over his leadership and seeks to retain the FIFA presidency. He has said he plans to run for re-election in March.

Infantino said he would not set a specific figure in advance, but would support the highest level of additional funding that could be delivered responsibly through FIFA’s governance procedures.

“I will not prejudge the amount. I will support the greatest level of additional funding that can responsibly be delivered through FIFA’s proper governance process, applied fairly and supported by transparent and auditable arrangements,” he wrote, according to reports cited in the source.

Requests for member payments

The amount to be distributed to individual associations has not been decided, and there is no confirmed indication that the Council will approve a particular sum.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani reportedly wrote to FIFA seeking payments for member associations. Asian Football Confederation President Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa also made a similar request, according to reports referenced in the source.

A letter from UEFA and CONCACAF reportedly sought a minimum payment of $10 million for every member association from FIFA’s reserves. Separately, the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise plan would have provided each member nation with at least $20 million if it had proceeded.

Infantino said he had instructed FIFA’s Secretary General to bring together the submissions received and prepare a single assessment for the Council.

“A single figure can begin the discussion, but it cannot complete a global policy,” Infantino wrote. “I have therefore instructed the Secretary General to consolidate all submissions into one integrated assessment for consideration by the FIFA Council.”

Leadership dispute

The funding debate follows opposition to FIFA Forward Enterprise, a proposed entity intended to focus on the commercial and operational aspects of the World Cup and other FIFA tournaments. The plan included a proposal to sell approximately 20 percent of the enterprise.

UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation called for Infantino to resign over the plan. The English Premier League and leagues from Spain, Italy and Germany also issued a joint statement calling for FIFA governance reform. The leagues accused Infantino of promoting “exploitative ideas rather than safeguarding against them.”

Infantino later abandoned the private equity plan but did not resign. Joshua Kushner had been identified as a prospective investor in FIFA Forward Enterprise.

Critics and rights groups have also questioned whether Infantino is eligible to seek a fourth term. FIFA presidents are limited to three four-year terms, but Infantino argued in 2022 that his first period in office should not count because it completed an interrupted mandate. He was elected in 2016 after Sepp Blatter resigned.

The source reported that no challenger had stepped forward seven weeks before candidates were due to announce their intention to oppose Infantino. His eligibility had not been formally resolved in the information available.