FIFA President Gianni Infantino has apologised for mistakes in the handling of the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, as the organisation considers increasing football development funding to $6.35 billion for 2027–2030 and launches a review of its governance framework.
Infantino made the remarks on Thursday, October 15, following a FIFA Council meeting at the organisation’s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, where members discussed the controversial investment proposal, future funding for football development and possible reforms to FIFA’s governance and disciplinary procedures.
The meeting came amid disagreements between FIFA’s leadership and several confederation officials over the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative, which had drawn criticism over its development and consultation process.
Infantino apologised for mistakes in how the proposal was conducted and communicated, confirming that the initiative had been permanently withdrawn and would not return in any form. He maintained that its objective had been to increase investment in football and distribute funding more effectively, subject to approval by the FIFA Council and member associations.
FIFA Proposes $6.35 Billion for Football Development
As part of its response, FIFA’s administration presented the proposed FIFA Surplus Solidarity Programme, which would more than double planned development funding for the 2027–2030 cycle to $6.35 billion.
The proposal follows the commercial returns from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams. FIFA estimates an unaudited surplus of between $5.2 billion and $5.6 billion for the 2023–2026 financial cycle and has proposed retaining $1.7 billion in reserves for unforeseen circumstances.
Under the proposed programme, funding allocated to each of FIFA’s 211 member associations would reach $25 million. Distributions to confederations, regional and zonal associations, and other stakeholders would also increase.
The proposed funding would support women’s and youth football, long-term development projects and football infrastructure. However, the programme has not received final approval.
FIFA said the relevant committees would finalise the eligibility criteria, application procedures, approval processes, disbursement arrangements, controls and auditing requirements before the proposal returns to the FIFA Council in December 2026. The plan would subsequently be included in FIFA’s 2026 Annual Report for consideration at the 77th FIFA Congress in March 2027.
“FIFA’s money, including its reserves, belongs to the 211 FIFA Member Associations,” Infantino said, adding that the proposed increase was intended to strengthen global football development and access.
He also called on stakeholders to move forward in a spirit of unity and in the best interests of the game.
FIFA Establishes Working Group on Governance Reforms
The Council agreed to establish a working group comprising representatives from across FIFA’s six confederations to examine the organisation’s governance framework and consider potential reforms.
The decision follows criticism of the FFE proposal and calls from some football leaders for greater transparency and changes to FIFA’s leadership and decision-making structures.
The controversy had exposed divisions within international football, with UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF leaders among those who had publicly criticised Infantino’s handling of the proposal. Other football leaders, including figures from Africa, have continued to support him.
FIFA said externally appointed lawyers briefed the Council on the legal background to the FFE initiative. Details of that briefing remain confidential because of ongoing legal proceedings in the United States.
The newly established working group is expected to examine FIFA’s governance arrangements in greater detail, although the organisation has yet to announce specific reforms or a timetable for implementing any changes.
Disciplinary Procedures to Be Reviewed
The Council also agreed that FIFA’s Legal Committee would review the organisation’s disciplinary procedures following controversy over the decision to suspend the one-match ban imposed on United States forward Folarin Balogun during the 2026 World Cup.
Balogun had been sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but FIFA’s independent Disciplinary Committee subsequently suspended the ban for a probationary period of one year, allowing him to play in a knockout match against Belgium.
The decision prompted criticism, including from the Belgian Football Association, over the transparency and application of FIFA’s disciplinary rules.
FIFA said the Legal Committee would present its review at the next Council meeting in December. Reuters separately reported that FIFA intends to propose an amendment to Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, which allows sanctions to be suspended in exceptional circumstances.
FIFA has maintained that its judicial bodies operate independently, while the planned review is intended to address concerns surrounding the application of disciplinary provisions.
FIFA Peace Prize Also Under Review
The FIFA Council further tasked the organisation’s Football Social Responsibility Committee with assessing the FIFA Peace Prize, with a decision expected at the December meeting.
The award, presented to United States President Donald Trump in December 2025, has attracted scrutiny amid broader questions about FIFA’s governance and the relationship between football and political figures.
The assessment will add another contentious issue to the agenda for the Council’s next meeting, alongside the proposed funding programme and review of disciplinary procedures.
December Meeting to Determine Next Steps
Thursday’s meeting ended with several major issues referred for further examination rather than immediate final decisions.
FIFA’s proposed $6.35 billion development programme must still pass through its internal approval process, while the governance working group and standing committees are expected to report on their respective reviews.
The developments come as Infantino prepares for the next FIFA presidential election, scheduled for March 2027 in Morocco. The debate over the abandoned investment plan, transparency and the distribution of FIFA’s financial resources is likely to remain central to discussions about the organisation’s leadership and future direction.
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