FIFA reveals E5m national teams travelling relief fund
MBABANE – The Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) has revealed plans to assist national teams with financial limitations in terms of travel and costs.
FIFA has unveiled this relief plan to benefit its 211 members just ahead of the 2024 event that will be staged in Thailand on May 17. As per yesterday’s market exchange rates, about E5 618 895 (US$0.3 million) stands to benefit those associations identified as needy.
“Up to US$ 0.3 million for each member association identified as needing the most assistance to cover the costs of travel and accommodation for their national teams, as well as football equipment,” reads an extract from FIFA’s investment plans for the next year.
These funds will be derived under the FIFA Forward Programme, according to the global football governing body. FIFA’s signature development programme, FIFA Forward, was launched in 2016. Under the current phase, FIFA Forward 3.0, the total investment is higher than ever before, with an amount of approximately E4.6 billion (US$ 250 million) earmarked for the 2023-2026 cycle. For 2025, the figures are as follows: It is worth noting that the national team Sihlangu’s travel costs were said to be around E20 million for the qualifier stages. So far, they have had seamless travel costs.
ECONOMIC PLAYING FIELD
It is notable that this would not be FIFA’s first initiative to try to level the economic playing field for its member associations. In another effort to help disadvantaged nations, FIFA assists them in playing other countries from different federations. Through the FIFA Series programme, a recently launched series of friendly matches features four nations where they play for no trophies or prize monies. FIFA covers the teams’ travel costs.
In addition to assisting disadvantaged nations with travel and accommodation costs, MAs are set to receive increased funding for operational costs. Each association will receive up to E23 million (US$1.25 million) to cover running costs related to football activities. “Each member association is entitled to E56 million (US$3 million) to execute well-planned, specific football projects that contribute to the achievement of long-term football development objectives at any point during the 2023-2026 cycle,” further reads FIFA’s correspondence ahead of the congress.
Under this funding, the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has been able to construct its regional technical centres.
FIFA’s total Forward 3.0 budget for 2025, therefore, amounts to about E9 billion (US$ 494 million). The detailed budget for 2025 was ratified by the FIFA Finance Committee and FIFA Council last month, with the final approval due to be granted by the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok next month.