FIFA proposes financial fund as Infantino faces growing presidency opposition

FIFA President Gianni Infantino sent a proposal to continental football heads on September 28 for a 6.35 billion dollar, or 5.5 billion euro, four-year development fund. Euronews reported that the plan includes 25 million dollars, or 21.5 million euros, for each of the 211 national member associations. The proposal comes while European football leaders search for a candidate to unseat Infantino. [1]

Infantino is facing mounting scrutiny over undisclosed financial compensation. UPI reported that public tax documents showed Infantino received an undisclosed payment of 1.72 million dollars from FWC2026, the United States entity that ran the 2026 World Cup. The Times first reported the payment. The Telegraph reported that the FIFA Council has demanded answers regarding a 1.3 million pound payment described as a second salary. As FTMQ News reported earlier, tax filings from 2024 revealed the payment details. [2][4][7]

Opposition to Infantino's presidency is mounting across European football. RFI reported that former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who currently serves as chief of global football development for FIFA, has been approached by senior figures to stand against Infantino. As FTMQ News reported earlier, European governing body UEFA recently met with its 55 member federations to set candidate criteria, with former Celtic defender Ramon Vega also planning to run. [3][6]

Infantino has served as the president of FIFA since 2016 and was previously the Secretary General of UEFA from 2009 to 2016. In his letter to confederation heads, Infantino stated that submissions confirm broad agreement that FIFA financial success must serve all member associations. Euronews reported that the development plan is expected to be finalised by the FIFA Council in December and submitted for approval at the FIFA congress in March. [1][5]