Maximising global impact
Goal 7 of the FIFA President’s Vision 2020-2023 to make football truly global calls on the organisation to maximise its impact on global football development. In 2021, great strides were taken to realising that goal.
Over the past 12 months, FIFA has worked towards achieving a greater geographic proximity to its member associations (MAs), while the FIFA Forward Programme continues to promote good governance and give every talent a chance to develop and succeed.
Promoting good governance
Progressing football across the world involves standardised guidelines and regulations to ensure a fairness of opportunity globally. In line with the new FIFA, FIFA’s comprehensive Compliance Programme helps to build transparency, foster ethical behaviour, identify risks, define policies and create procedures.
Enhancing FIFA’s global presence
In 2017, FIFA took the decision to establish Regional Development Offices around the world in order to better serve its member associations and be closer to their needs. In February, President Gianni Infantino attended the inauguration ceremonies of the newest Regional Development Offices in Kigali, Rwanda, and Brazzaville, Congo. FIFA now has 11 such offices, giving greater support to MAs on the ground in the delivery of infrastructure, competitions, development and education projects, specific to each region.
MA Division moves to Paris
At the end of 2021, FIFA’s Member Associations Division made the move from Zurich to new offices at the Hôtel de la Marine on Place de la Concorde in Paris. The relocation of this key division, which is responsible for liaising with all 211 of FIFA’s MAs, takes FIFA back to its birthplace, having been founded in Paris in 1904. The launch of the new offices is in line with FIFA’s vision to make football truly global by strengthening cooperation with key international institutions and working closely with the11 Regional Development Offices around the world.
FIFA Forward – supporting global development
The FIFA Forward platform continued to improve football development across the globe – ensuring that the game can be delivered in every one of the 211 MAs.
Launched in 2016, FIFA Forward is designed to provide 360-degree, tailor-made support for football development in each of our member associations and the six confederations and is based on three principles:
More investment
More impact
More oversight
Over USD 2 billion of FIFA Forward funding has been approved for use in our MAs since 2016, covering operational costs, travel and various projects. Over 1,500 FIFA Forward projects have been actioned globally, specifically targeting the needs of each MA to progress football in its country.
“With the funds, the member association has been able to cover all costs relating to venue hire, equipment, medical services and allowances for match officials for all 32 teams.”
In 2021, highlights included the opening of a brand new seven-a-side artificial turf pitch in Honduras, which was inaugurated at the Estadio Infantil FENAFUTH in April, thus ensuring U-8, U-10 and U-12 leagues will have a regular facility to use for their activities.
FIFA Forward has also continued its ongoing support for the development of women’s football in Kenya where, since 2018, it has helped the Football Kenya Federation to run the Women’s Premier League and Women’s Division One League. With the funds, the member association has been able to cover all costs relating to venue hire, equipment, medical services and allowances for match officials for all 32 teams.