The President of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, Gianni Infantino, revealed that over $1 billion from the FIFA Forward Programme has been spent on African football since its inception in 2016.
Speaking at the 47th CAF Ordinary General Assembly held on October 6 in Kinshasa, DR Congo, Infantino revealed the funding figure to 54 Member Association representatives at the assembly.
Globally, 20% of the amount of FIFA Forward Funds since 2016 has gone into Confederations & Zonal/Regional Associations, and 80% has been invested into Member Associations.
During the first two cycles of FIFA Forward, more than 1600 projects with long-term impact dealing with football development were approved.
524 projects were related to football infrastructure, with a large proportion touching on technical centres and stadiums, etc. Additionally, 190,622 persons directly benefitted from expanding education and training capacity for coaches and referees to have structures in place for their benefit.
Africa has received over $1 billion from the FIFA Forward Programme.
The President of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, Gianni Infantino, revealed that over $1 billion from the FIFA Forward Programme has been spent on African football since its inception in 2016.
Speaking at the 47th CAF Ordinary General Assembly held on October 6 in Kinshasa, DR Congo, Infantino revealed the funding figure to 54 Member Association representatives at the assembly.
Globally, 20% of the amount of FIFA Forward Funds since 2016 has gone into Confederations & Zonal/Regional Associations, and 80% has been invested into Member Associations.
During the first two cycles of FIFA Forward, more than 1600 projects with long-term impact dealing with football development were approved.
524 projects were related to football infrastructure, with a large proportion touching on technical centres and stadiums, etc. Additionally, 190,622 persons directly benefitted from expanding education and training capacity for coaches and referees to have structures in place for their benefit.
A number of ten African countries, including Egypt, Congo, Djibouti, Algeria, The Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda, were approved to receive 100 percent of the funding.
With the third cycle clinching in 2026, FIFA will have injected in $1.28 billion dollars in African football inclusively by the end of the cycle.
From 2016 to date, FIFA Forward has done a significant portion going towards infrastructure development with USD 1.06 billion for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and member associations.
For the cause, FIFA has funded 144 projects, laid 94 new pitches across the continent, and more than 10,000 girls and women have benefited from competitions launched under FIFA Forward support.
A number of ten African countries, including Egypt, Congo, Djibouti, Algeria, The Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda, were approved to receive 100 percent of the funding.
With the third cycle clinching in 2026, FIFA will have injected $1.28 billion dollars in African football inclusively by the end of the cycle.
From 2016 to date, FIFA Forward has done a significant portion going towards infrastructure development with USD 1.06 billion for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and member associations.
For the cause, FIFA has funded 144 projects, laid 94 new pitches across the continent, and more than 10,000 girls and women have benefited from competitions launched under FIFA Forward support.
FIFA has also supported the development of African football by opening up more playing opportunities. around nine, and possibly 10, African teams will play at the FIFA World Cup 26™, while 10 African teams will participate at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ and five will play at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2025™, to be hosted in Morocco.
FIFA Also planned to open up to 30 FIFA Academies by 2027 making FIFA Talent Development Scheme which aims to help acountries across the globe to identify talents, giving them coaching and facilities they need to shine, the FIFA President said.
Meanwhile, the Football for Schools programme is now active in more than 40 African nations Including Uganda.
