- Gianni Infantino has indicated that more money could be distributed to FIFA’s 211 members from estimated £4.4bn cash reserves
- UEFA and Concacaf have demanded that FIFA pays $10m (£7.5m) to every member association, with the proposal due to be considered on 15 October
- FIFA has accused European football chiefs of “harassment” and “spreading misinformation” in a Miami court filing linked to the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise plan
Infantino Opens Door to Increased Member Funding
Gianni Infantino has signalled that FIFA could make a larger financial distribution to its member associations from cash reserves estimated at £4.4bn.
In a letter sent on Monday to the governing body’s six continental confederations, the FIFA president said he would back “the greatest level of additional funding that can responsibly be delivered”.
The intervention comes as Infantino faces growing scrutiny over the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, which involved selling stakes in the World Cup and other competitions to private investors. The plan triggered a strong backlash and has intensified debate over FIFA’s finances, governance and commercial strategy.
🚨 Gianni Infantino has indicated he is prepared to support increased financial distributions from FIFA's reserves to the governing body's 211 member associations. The FIFA president responded to a joint request from UEFA and CONCACAF for at least $10 million per association… pic.twitter.com/tMJsUFH3JP
— Live Score (@LiveScorENG) September 29, 2026
UEFA and Concacaf Push for $10m Payments
UEFA and Concacaf – the confederations for Europe, and North America, Central America and the Caribbean – have called for FIFA to pay $10m (£7.5m) to each of its 211 members from its reserves.
The proposal is scheduled to be examined by the FIFA Council when it meets on 15 October.
“I will not prejudge the amount,” Infantino said in the letter.
“A single figure can begin the discussion, but it cannot complete a global policy.”
| Key issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated FIFA cash reserves | £4.4bn |
| Requested payment per member | $10m (£7.5m) |
| Number of FIFA members | 211 |
| FIFA Council consideration date | 15 October |
| Presidential election date | March 2027 |
| Deadline for opponents to find an alternative candidate | 18 November |
FFE Fallout and Defence of the Abandoned Plan
Infantino again defended the withdrawn commercial proposal, which would have sold a share of the World Cup’s commercial rights and led to calls for his resignation. He maintained that the idea had been designed to create further investment for football.
“The recent commercial proposal, now withdrawn, was intended to enable Fifa to invest more in football,” wrote the Swiss-Italian.
Earlier this month, Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt, who is also a FIFA vice-president, told Infantino to publish all documents connected to the controversial proposal and called for an independent review of FFE.
FIFA Court Filing Targets UEFA Request
The dispute has also moved into the legal arena. FIFA has accused European football chiefs of “harassment” against Infantino and of attempting to influence the presidential election by “spreading misinformation” about him in relation to the World Cup venture.
The allegations appear in a Miami court filing by FIFA, obtained by Sky News, which seeks to block UEFA’s request for all evidence connected to the attempt to sell shares in the World Cup to private investors.
FIFA’s lawyers write: “UEFA’s conduct demonstrates that its application was made in bad faith and for the purpose of harassment.”
UEFA has requested all documents relating to the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme. It has said it could bring a case against Mr Infantino for criminal mismanagement, alleging that he undersold the tournaments for personal financial benefit.
But FIFA’s lawyers write: “With no basis whatsoever, UEFA suggests that Mr Infantino sought to profit personally from the FFE proposal.”
FIFA’s legal submission says: “Just before FIFA’s election, UEFA filed this application (and three others) spreading misinformation regarding Mr Infantino. This Court should reject any attempt to influence FIFA’s presidential election based on these grounds.”
Election Pressure Builds Ahead of 2027 Vote
The governance crisis has developed ahead of Infantino’s bid for re-election in March 2027. UEFA has withdrawn its support, but has not yet put forward a rival candidate ahead of the November deadline.
Infantino is due to stand for election for a fourth time in March 2027, while his opponents have until 18 November to find an alternative candidate.
