UEFA and CONCACAF demand $2.1 billion from FIFA reserves

European and North American football authorities have formally requested that FIFA release approximately $2.1 billion from its reserves, marking a significant escalation in the dispute over the global governing body’s financial strategy.

A joint letter sent on Friday by UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin and CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani calls for a one-off payment of $10 million for each of FIFA’s 211 member associations over the 2027–30 cycle. The demand is framed as a necessary investment in infrastructure and football development, distinct from the annual development funding already distributed to members.

The correspondence, obtained by AFP, argues that FIFA’s estimated $6 billion in cash reserves are sufficient to fund these initiatives without seeking outside investment. The letter states that the governing body has the capacity to deliver substantially more to its members from its own balance sheet, without selling interests in its competitions or requesting anything in return.

This move follows the recent shelving of a proposal by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors. The plan, intended to raise capital for global football, triggered a fierce backlash that saw UEFA threaten to boycott all FIFA competitions until the proposal was withdrawn.

The federations noted that annual development funding has already increased to $8 million per country over a four-year cycle under Infantino’s administration. They indicated that recommendations for the disbursement of the requested funds would be issued at the next FIFA Council meeting.

The demand arrives amid broader institutional tensions. England’s Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt wrote to Infantino the previous day, requesting full disclosure regarding the private equity plan and documents concerning the suspension of a ban on United States striker Folarin Balogun.