FIFA President Gianni Infantino has apologised over the handling of the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal as the football governing body announced a $6.35bn funding package to support development across its member associations from 2027 to 2030.
The developments followed the latest FIFA Council meeting at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, where the organisation confirmed that the FFE initiative had been permanently withdrawn.
Despite the setback, FIFA announced a new initiative, the FIFA Surplus Solidarity Programme, aimed at increasing financial support for football development following the strong commercial returns from the 48-team 2026 World Cup.
The proposed package will draw on an estimated surplus of between $5.2bn and $5.6bn for the current financial cycle. Under the plan, allocations to each of FIFA’s 211 member associations will rise to $25m, while the organisation will maintain $1.7bn in reserves.
Addressing the council, Infantino reaffirmed FIFA’s commitment to directing its financial resources towards developing the game globally.
He said: “As has been said many times since 2016, FIFA’s money, including its reserves, belongs to the 211 FIFA Member Associations, and the proposal to increase investment across all FIFA Member Associations, confederations and other stakeholders to USD 6.35 billion aims to reinforce our unwavering commitment to further supporting football development and access globally thanks to the outstanding financial result of the FIFA World Cup 2026.”
Infantino highlighted the growth in funding available to member associations since he became FIFA president, while thanking stakeholders who had offered suggestions on how the organisation’s finances should be distributed.
He said: “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. At the same time, I would like to thank everyone who has made suggestions over the past few months on the distribution of FIFA’s funds to our 211 FIFA Member Associations as we need to look forward in a spirit of unity and in the best interests of football.”
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The abandoned FFE proposal had attracted criticism from stakeholders in recent months, prompting questions about FIFA’s governance and the handling of its financial plans.
The council confirmed that the initiative would not be revived in any form.
Externally appointed lawyers also briefed members on confidential legal proceedings in the United States.
FIFA is now set to establish a working group comprising representatives from across the confederations to review its broader governance framework.
The proposed distribution of the $6.35bn package is expected to support women’s football, youth development, long-term projects and infrastructure. The plan remains subject to final approval procedures intended to ensure appropriate oversight and auditing.
Reflecting on discussions about the withdrawn proposal, Infantino said: “We held discussions in relation to the FIFA Forward Enterprise project, where everyone had the opportunity to ask questions and express their views.”
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