FIFA Increases Funding and Enacts Reforms for 48 Teams

FIFA, the global governing body for football, has announced a significant 15% boost in the prize funds for all 48 teams set to compete in forthcoming international tournaments in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Under the new funding framework, each national team's preparation budget has been increased from $1.5 million to $2.5 million. Additionally, the compensation for qualification is now up from $9 million to $10 million. Support for team delegation expenses and increased ticket allocations is also expanding by over $16 million.

Any surplus revenue will be allocated among FIFA's 211 member associations.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized that the organization is in its most robust financial position to date, asserting that these funds will be reinvested to enhance global football's growth.

Significant Governance Updates

FIFA has also enacted several key decisions:

• The Afghan Women’s Refugee Team will now be eligible to compete in official FIFA tournaments following a governance revision.

• For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, yellow cards will reset after the group stage and following the quarter-finals.

• Armenia and Georgia are set to host the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2029.

• The final phase of the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup will take place in Miami, USA, from January 27 to 31.

• The FIFA U-17 World Cup will be held in Qatar from November 19 to December 13, 2026.

International Tournament Dates

FIFA has also released key dates for future tournaments:

• AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia: January 7 – February 5, 2027

• Concacaf Gold Cup 2027: June 19 – July 11, 2027

• CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027: June 19 – July 17, 2027

FIFA Presidency Election Schedule

According to FIFA Statutes, the next presidential election for the 2027–2031 term will occur during the 77th FIFA Congress in 2027, starting the electoral process on April 30, 2026.

FIFA states these changes are designed to enhance global football development, increase fairness, and broaden opportunities for all member nations.