FIFA President Gianni Infantino has unveiled the ambitions behind the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new commercial structure that could significantly increase funding for national football associations, including those across Africa.
The FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) is designed to strengthen FIFA’s commercial operations and unlock additional financial resources for football development worldwide.
Speaking about the proposal, FIFA President Gianni Infantino stressed that the project is not an obligation but an opportunity that must go through a democratic approval process.
“The FIFA Forward Enterprise, or FFE, is above all a proposal, an offer. It is part of a democratic consultation process. It is an opportunity, not an obligation,” Infantino said.
The initiative would only become reality if approved by a majority of FIFA’s 211 member associations and by the FIFA Council.
If approved, the FFE would become a FIFA-owned and controlled subsidiary responsible for managing the organisation’s commercial and event-related activities.
A potential financial boost for African federations
The main ambition of the project is to increase the value generated from FIFA competitions, sponsorship deals, broadcasting rights, licensing and new commercial opportunities.
Infantino believes that a greater share of football’s commercial growth should benefit the countries and federations that need more resources.
The proposal could have major implications for African football, where many national associations continue to face challenges related to infrastructure, youth development and competition organisation.
Under the next FIFA Forward cycle, funding allocated to member associations could rise from $8 million to $20 million per association.
In addition, each federation could access another $20 million through the FIFA Fast Forward programme, potentially bringing total available funding to $40 million per member association.
Supporting the next generation of football nations
Infantino highlighted the impact of FIFA’s previous investments, mentioning countries such as Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan, which qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time after years of development support.
“We want to help create the next ‘Cape Verdes’ of world football,” he said.
For African football, the potential increase in funding could provide additional opportunities for grassroots development, women’s football, youth academies and national team programmes.
FIFA insists competitions will remain unchanged
The FIFA president also sought to reassure fans that the project would not affect the organisation of major tournaments.
“The supporters remain the cornerstone of football. The sport they watch and love will not change,” he said.
According to Infantino, FIFA competitions such as the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup will remain under FIFA’s control.
The final decision on the FIFA Forward Enterprise will ultimately belong to FIFA’s member associations.
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