From clay to grass: record FIFA funding boosts emerging nations

From clay to grass: record FIFA funding boosts emerging nations Through a significant increase in funding and greater access to tournaments, developing football markets such as Mauritania, Bangladesh and Bhutan are building strong, lasting sporting structures. For many emerging football nations, FIFA is the main, if not the only, reliable source of sporting revenue. Recent financial figures and strategic shifts point to a concerted effort by world football's governing body to build sustainable structures in these markets, focusing on three pillars: financial support, talent development and greater access to tournaments. The financial growth is clear. Under the FIFA Forward programme, funding for each member association has risen from $3.8 million in the 2016-2018 cycle to $8 million in the current 2023-2026 cycle. A new proposal on the table for 2027-2030 aims to provide associations with a total of $25 million each. Ahmed Yahya, president of the Mauritanian Football Federation, highlighted the practical impact of these figures following a recent FIFA Council meeting. "These financial resources allow today's young people to play on real grass pitches rather than rocky or dirt surfaces, and that is what really matters," Yahya explained. He also stressed the fundamental importance of equal funding and voting rights for all nations. "For us, equality is what defines FIFA today. Gianni Infantino is taking football forward worldwide... The majority want him to stay." Crucially, this financial support goes hand in hand with the "FIFA Talent Development Scheme" and the expansion of youth tournaments. By helping associations identify and nurture talent while offering more opportunities to showcase it on the global stage, FIFA is seeking to create a system in which football can become a genuine career in developing regions. In Bangladesh, this combined strategy is delivering tangible results. Tabith Awal, president of the Bangladesh Football Federation, recalled recent milestones, including a historic victory over San Marino and an invitation to the FIFA ASEAN Cup. "We have made use of many of FIFA's valuable projects, from the Arena programme to Forward, to genuinely develop a football culture in our country," Awal said. Awal also praised the current administration's approach to governance, noting that Infantino "continues to extend a hand of friendship" even amid disagreements at leadership level. A recent stop in Dhaka by the FIFA president allowed local officials to demonstrate exactly how international funding is being used on the ground. This strategy of global outreach extends to Bhutan, which recently welcomed a FIFA president to the country for the first time in its history. The visit underscored the organisation's aim of maintaining direct contact with all member associations, regardless of their size, and gave local leaders an opportunity to plan for the future. Dasho Ugen Tsechup, president of the Bhutan Football Federation (BFF), used the historic visit to outline ambitious initiatives. "Because of his busy schedule, time was limited. But our discussions were concise and to the point," Ugen Tsechup explained. "With FIFA's assistance, so much more can now be done in Bhutan." He then outlined a comprehensive development plan that includes the Rama project (a school and academy for boys and girls), the commercial redevelopment of existing football facilities at Changjiji and GMC, and the construction of a new stadium in Paro. Asked to name the single project from the Infantino era of which he was most proud, Ugen Tsechup declined to choose, stressing the cumulative effect of sustained support. "I cannot pick just one, because every single investment has made an important contribution to the development of football in Bhutan," he said. "The headquarters, which gave us independence... the academy, the facilities, the pitches, the mini-pitches, the futsal courts: every aspect of infrastructure development supported by FIFA has been a milestone for our federation." These targeted investments are having a profound human impact, especially in women's football. Pema Choden Tshering, captain of Bhutan's women's national team, has experienced this transformation firsthand, starting at grassroots level. "I grew up playing on dusty pitches. Now I have the opportunity to play on artificial turf and natural grass pitches through my international experiences," Tshering noted. She pointed to the creation of a girls' academy in Gelephu—where more than 60 girls train regularly throughout the year—as a direct result of improved facilities. Tshering also thanked the FIFA Forward programme for funding crucial trips that allow the team to compete internationally. "This has given the girls so many opportunities to grow, not just as players, but as people," she added. With national team players now securing contracts abroad, Tshering is optimistic: "I hope this inspires the young girls of the future and encourages parents to let more girls play the sport." While elite European football dominates media headlines, the institutional reality for countries such as Mauritania, Bangladesh and Bhutan is that structured, sustained investment is creating solid new foundations. By combining reliable funding, clear pathways for talent and grassroots infrastructure, FIFA is laying the groundwork needed for world football to grow equitably. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.