Fifa is about to put a lot more of its own money on the table. On Thursday the governing body's council will be asked to approve a proposal that adds $3.4bn (about £2.6bn) to what it hands out for football development around the world. The timing is not an accident. Gianni Infantino is heading into a re-election campaign, and he has spent the autumn trying to repair relations with the confederations.
Where the extra money comes from
The cash would come from Fifa's reserves, which have been boosted by the commercial success of this summer's World Cup. On top of the $2.7bn (£2.05bn) already budgeted for the 2027-2030 cycle, the new money takes the planned total to $6.35bn (£4.83bn), which is more than double the original distribution.
The proposal lands at an awkward moment for the Fifa president. His Fifa Forward Enterprise plan, which would have sold stakes in the World Cup and other competitions to private investors, drew heavy criticism and was dropped. Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation all questioned his position, and in September Uefa and Concacaf wrote to Fifa asking for at least $10m (£7.5m) from reserves to go to each of the 211 member associations.
How it would be shared out
The figures are specific. Each member association would receive $25m (£19m), each of the six confederations $99m (£75m), and each of the 13 zonal or regional associations $8.25m (£6.3m). A further $1.1m (£836,000) would go to 100 member associations for travel and equipment solidarity.
The terms split the money into thirds: one for women's and youth football development, one for infrastructure with equal access for women's and youth football, and one for projects. Fifa's council is expected to finalise eligibility, application, approval and audit rules at its next meeting in December 2026, and the whole package then needs the approval of the 77th Fifa congress in March 2027, when Infantino will stand for a fourth term.
The Balogun rule change
There is a second proposal on the table at the same meeting, and it has nothing to do with money. BBC Sport understands the council will be asked to change Fifa's disciplinary code so that an automatic one-match ban for a red card can never be suspended. The change would be written into Article 27 of the regulations.
It follows the case of United States striker Folarin Balogun, who did not miss a game after being sent off at the World Cup because his ban was suspended. Donald Trump said he called Infantino to get the ban lifted, and the process raised serious questions about political interference. Whether the new wording closes that door for good is something the council will have to answer on Thursday.
Fifa facts: Proposed extra development funding of $3.4bn (£2.6bn) for 2027-2030, taking the total to $6.35bn (£4.83bn). Split: $25m per member association, $99m per confederation, $8.25m per zonal association, $1.1m for each of 100 member associations. Council meets Thursday, finalises rules in December 2026, congress vote in March 2027. Source: BBC Sport.
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