Fifa's proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors aims to give its 211 member associations more money for football development. However, history shows that such funds have not always been well spent, with millions either going missing or diverted from their original purpose. Uefa has declared outrage, Concacaf expressed concern, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) cited a lack of consultation, while the Confederation of African Football (Caf) has yet to comment.
Significant sums at stake
The promised redistribution of over $10bn (£7.5bn) could do significant good, especially in countries lacking infrastructure. But oversight has often been insufficient. According to reports, only about a fifth of federations return audited accounts detailing spending. Between 2015 and 2025, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is believed to have received more than $20m in development grants from Fifa and Caf. In 2024, Harrison Jalla, chairman of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria task force, demanded accountability: “What happened to these funds from Fifa and Caf? All these funds disappeared into thin air and translated into huge debts.”
Cases of embezzlement in Africa
In October, the Nigerian parliament launched an investigation into the NFF. Lawmaker Adedayo Adesola stated: “There has been a significant absence of visible improvement or grassroots growth in Nigerian football, despite these massive financial interventions. There is a need to take decisive action to stop further misuse of public funds by the leadership of NFF.” Last week, the senate committee on sports criticised the federation for repeatedly failing to honour invitations to account for expenditure.
In March, Jean-Guy Blaise Mayolas, president of Congo-Brazzaville's football federation (Fecofoot), was convicted of embezzling $1.3m of Fifa funds meant for a training centre, women's football, and Covid relief. In 2019, Fifa banned Caf executive committee member Musa Bility for a decade for misappropriating Fifa funds.
Issues in Asia
In June, Fifa suspended Nepal's FA due to third-party interference, following years of turmoil. Funds were cut off in 2021 after financial irregularities. In 2014, former FA president Ganesh Thapa was investigated by Nepal's anti-corruption agency, but the case was put on hold. In 2015, Fifa banned him for 10 years for misconduct.
In India in 2024, Nilanjan Bhattacharjee, legal head of the All Indian Football Federation, accused president Kaylan Chaubey of corruption and lack of transparency. The AFC asked Bhattacharjee to submit evidence; he said he did, but no official response has followed.
In Bangladesh, more than $7m was allocated between 2016 and 2022 for football projects, but only about $620,000 was reportedly used. In 2023, Fifa detailed financial irregularities, and general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag was banned from the sport. Fifa stated: “Specifically, it is alleged that Mr Shohag participated in procurement and payment processes supported with falsified quotations and subsequently paid for with FIFA Forward funds.” Shohag denied the accusations, appealed, but the decision was upheld in 2024.
Need for transparency
More transparency and oversight on how cash generated by football is used can only be positive. History shows that more money given to federations does not automatically equate to investment in football, regardless of Fifa's assurances.
