Gianni Infantino told to give $10m to each of the world's 211 FAs

Gianni Infantino has been told to give an extra $10m (£7.5m) to each of the world's 211 Football Associations (FAs) in a demand from European and North American football chiefs to share out FIFA's wealth, Sky News has learnt.

It's understood a letter was sent today to Mr Infantino claiming FIFA's reserves are set to rise to $6bn - highlighting FIFA's financial strength despite its president claiming private equity was needed to fund football development.

UEFA and CONCACAF, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean, are pushing for Mr Infantino to leave FIFA over his attempt to sell off 20% of the World Cup to private investors in a $20bn venture.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani wrote to Mr Infantino suggesting FIFA already has the wealth to use $2.1bn of funds to provide extra cash for infrastructure and football development worldwide.

FIFA has been planning to make $8m available to each football association from 2027 to 2030 to help fund infrastructure, coaching, national teams, competitions, grassroots football and the women's game.

Mr Ceferin and Mr Montagliani, who are both FIFA vice presidents, claim in their letter to Mr Infantino that the governing body's cash reserves would still be at least $1.5bn after distributing extra cash to FAs.

Mr Ceferin and Mr Montagliani wrote that their financial analysis "raises an important question as to whether the proposed transaction was necessary to deliver greater resources" to FIFA's member associations rather than using existing growing wealth.

In a letter obtained by Sky News, they added: "FIFA already has the capacity to deliver substantially more to its Member Associations (MAs) from its own balance sheet - without any sale of interests in its competitions, and without asking anything of the MAs in return."

They want a complete analysis of FIFA's finances to agree on the cash that should be released to FAs beyond existing commitments to fund projects in football nations, with plans discussed at a meeting of Mr Infantino's ruling council next month.

They also wrote that: "Releasing part of these reserves would demonstrate that MAs should not have to choose between development and good governance; between investment and integrity; or between financial support and the ability to consider proposals on their merits. Development is an institutional responsibility of FIFA - not a matter of individual discretion."

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FIFA has claimed the 2023-26 World Cup cycle will generate $15bn, which would significantly top up cash reserves of $2.7bn in last year's accounts.

It's understood today's letter was also shared with members of the FIFA Council.

Mr Infantino abandoned the World Cup sell-off plan after a backlash that led to UEFA pursuing legal action, claiming it was undervalued partly for his benefit.

After only announcing the World Cup venture plans in late July, Mr Infantino was accused of pressuring FAs to rapidly approve the plans in less than two months or miss out on a financial windfall over the next 12 years.

FIFA has denied wrongdoing, claiming there is a smear campaign against Mr Infantino, who is seeking re-election next year.

(c) Sky News 2026: Gianni Infantino told to give $10m to each of the world's 211 FAs