Infantino announces increased funding for FIFA members

Gianni Infantino indicated that a greater amount of money could be distributed to FIFA members from its estimated £4.4 billion cash reserves. In a letter seen by BBC Sport, sent to the governing body's six continental confederations on Monday, FIFA president Infantino stated he would support "the greatest level of additional funding that can responsibly be delivered." Infantino faced increasing pressure regarding his aborted FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan, which proposed selling stakes in the World Cup and other competitions to private investors, sparking significant backlash.

His letter emerged after UEFA and Concacaf, the confederations for Europe and North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, demanded FIFA pay $10 million (£7.5 million) to all 211 members from its reserves. This proposal is set to be considered by the FIFA Council when they meet on 15 October. "I will not prejudge the amount," Infantino remarked in the letter. "A single figure can begin the discussion, but it cannot complete a global policy."

Infantino reiterated his defense of the failed proposal to sell a portion of the World Cup commercial rights, which had invoked calls for his resignation, claiming it was intended to generate additional revenue for the sport. "The recent commercial proposal, now withdrawn, was intended to enable FIFA to invest more in football," he wrote. Earlier this month, Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt, who is also a FIFA vice-president, urged Infantino to release all documents related to his controversial plan and called for an independent review of FFE. Infantino is set to stand for election for a fourth term in March 2027, with his opponents having until 18 November to present an alternative candidate.