African football associations could collectively receive $1.35 billion under a proposed FIFA funding programme that would distribute more of the organisation’s World Cup earnings to its members.
- FIFA is considering a $6.35 billion development fund, including $25 million for each national association.
- Africa’s 54 associations could theoretically receive $1.35 billion combined.
- The proposal is expected before FIFA’s Council on 15 October and has not been approved.
- It differs from the abandoned plan to bring private investors into FIFA’s commercial business.
The reported plan provides $25 million for each national association, within a broader $6.35 billion development fund.
Africa has 54 member associations. Applying the proposed payment equally across those members produces a potential continental total of $1.35 billion, subject to approval and the final funding conditions.
That figure is a calculation rather than an allocation announced for Africa. It also excludes any separate payment to the Confederation of African Football.
According to an Associated Press report published on 14 October, the proposal was described in a letter reviewed by the agency and confirmed by two people familiar with the plan.
AFP also reported that FIFA intended to draw partly on its financial reserves following the commercial success of the expanded 2026 World Cup. FIFA’s official calendar schedules its Council meeting for 15 October. No approval was established at the time of writing.
What the money could support
The proposal matters particularly to associations with limited domestic sponsorship and broadcasting income.
FIFA’s existing Forward 3.0 programme provides up to $8 million per association for the 2023–2026 cycle. Its funding supports administration and approved development projects, including pitches, technical centres, training grounds and headquarters.
Additional assistance is available to qualifying associations for national-team travel and accommodation.
Those existing rules illustrate how FIFA money supports football beyond major tournaments. They should not, however, be assumed to be the conditions governing the proposed new package.
A different proposal from the abandoned investor deal
The new funding discussion follows FIFA’s withdrawal of a controversial plan involving private investment in its commercial operations.
That proposal valued a new commercial entity at approximately $20 billion and offered participating associations access to potentially larger funding packages.
It collapsed following opposition from football authorities in Europe, Asia and North America.
The debate also exposed the different financial priorities within global football.Earlier examination of the dispute detailed why increased development funding appealed to African associations.
The present proposal offers another route to distribute resources without reviving that abandoned transaction. Its practical significance will depend on the amount finally approved, eligibility requirements, payment schedules and financial oversight.