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FIFA proposes new $20m funding package for 211 member associations

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About 211 member associations will benefit $20 million  each from a new funding package that is been proposed by the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA)

FIFA said the proposed new funding package is part of the world football governing body’s plans to increase investment in global football development.

The proposal, announced by FIFA on Tuesday, includes an optional one-off $20 million funding through the proposed FIFA Fast Forward Programme (FFFP) for special projects, as well as increased regular development allocations under the FIFA Forward programme.

Under the plan, member associations would receive $20 million each for the 2027-2030 cycle, up from the current $8 million allocation.

The funding would rise to $22 million per association for 2031-2034 and $24 million for 2035-2038.

However, the governing body would in return retain sole control of FFE and exclusive authority over football governance, competitions, match calendar, and all regulatory and sporting decisions.

The body will also, under the plan, sell a minority stake in its commercial operations to private investors, a clause widely criticised, particularly by UEFA.

But FIFA said the increased funding would support football infrastructure, coaching, national teams, competitions, grassroots football and women’s football development.

The statement read, “If approved, football development in every corner of the world would benefit immediately from increased funding available to all 211 FIFA Member Associations (MAs): (i) An optional USD 20 million per MA in exceptional and immediate funding for special projects from the new FIFA Fast Forward Programme (FFFP), (ii) USD 20 million per MA in Forward funding for 2027-2030 (currently budgeted USD 8 million), (iii) USD 22 million per MA in Forward funding for 2031-2034, and (iv) USD 24 million per MA in Forward funding for 2035-2038.

“This would be achieved via FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new FIFA-owned and controlled subsidiary consolidating FIFA’s commercial and event operations; FIFA would retain sole control of FFE and exclusive authority over football governance, competitions, match calendar, and all regulatory and sporting decisions.

“FFE would raise up to USD 4.2 billion later this year to fund FFFP, based on an initial equity valuation of USD 20 billion by carefully selecting long-term investors who will purchase minority, non-controlling interests in FFE.”

The world football governing body said all net benefits generated by FFE would be reinvested into football development worldwide.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the move was aimed at ensuring that the commercial growth of football benefits all member associations.

“Football is the world’s most popular sport and an extraordinary engine of human and social development,” Infantino said.

“Parts of the game have turned that popularity into remarkable commercial value – and we celebrate that success and want it to continue, because it lifts the whole game. Our job is to make sure the rest of football grows with it: FIFA exists to support sustainable, inclusive development in every corner of the world.”

He added that every member association should have the opportunity to access funding and determine its own development path.

“Every FIFA Member Association should have an opportunity to seek a fair share of the available funding to shape its own future, deciding for itself rather than relying on others. This is about the democratisation of football worldwide,” he said.

FIFA said the proposal would only proceed after approval from a majority of its member associations and the FIFA Council, in line with its governance processes.

The organisation said the planned investment could bring its total development funding commitment to more than $10 billion over the next four years, making it the largest such commitment by a sports organisation.

FIFA added that the proposed changes followed the success of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where increased development support helped countries such as Cabo Verde and Curaçao qualify for the tournament for the first time.

The governing body said the FIFA Fast Forward Programme would allow member associations to access additional capital for projects such as stadiums, national training centres and other long-term football infrastructure.

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WAFCON Outcome: NFF sacks Madugu, disbands Super Falcons technical crew

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By Our Reporter

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has directed Super Falcons Head Coach Justin Madugu and all members of the team’s technical crew to step down with immediate effect following Nigeria’s disappointing outings at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and the FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

The decision comes after a difficult period for the nine-time African champions, who endured their worst-ever performance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

For the first time in the history of the competition, the Super Falcons failed to reach the semi-finals after suffering a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Cameroon. Nigeria had struggled to produce convincing performances throughout the tournament before their campaign was brought to an abrupt end in the last eight.

The quarter-final exit also came with major consequences, as the Falcons missed out on an automatic qualification ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time.

Nigeria, however, had another opportunity to keep their World Cup hopes alive through a playoff clash against South Africa. But the Super Falcons were again unable to get the desired result, losing 2-1 to Banyana Banyana.

The back-to-back setbacks have now prompted the NFF to make changes to the team’s technical setup, with Madugu and his assistants ordered to vacate their positions.

Madugu had led the Super Falcons technical crew, working alongside a number of assistants and backroom staff.

The NFF had, in November 2021, appointed Madugu and Edwin Okon as members of the Super Falcons technical crew as part of efforts to restructure and strengthen the team.

With the latest development, attention will now turn to who takes charge of the Super Falcons as Nigeria continues its quest to return to the FIFA Women’s World Cup and reclaim its dominance on the African stage.

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Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in 2023 after leaving Manchester United.

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He has continued to play at the highest level and featured for Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored more than 900 senior career goals for club and country.

He and Rodríguez married in an intimate ceremony at their home in Cascais, Portugal, on August 11, the 10th anniversary of the day they first met.

In the Vogue interview, the couple said they were looking forward to spending more time together and with their children.

Ronaldo said he had already planned his life after football, suggesting that retirement would mark the beginning of a new phase rather than an end to his activities.

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Rangers legend, Dominic Nwobodo is dead

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The Rangers International Football club family has been hit by yet another death, barely one year after the passing of it’s celebrated Captain, Christian Chukwu

This time, a pioneer player and captain of the Enugu based legendary club, Dominic Nwobodo has been reported dead

Popularly known as “Alhaji Nwobodo,” Dominic Nwobodo reportedly died on Friday, August 14. 2026

His death was announced by the Ex-Rangers International Footballers Cooperative, of which he was a founding member.

The cooperative described Nwobodo as a remarkable footballer, national player and coach who made significant contributions to the growth and development of Rangers.

“He was not only a dreaded attacker but also a remarkable national player in the 70s, who served the game with dedication, both as a player and as a coach,” the cooperative said in a statement signed by its secretary.

The group said his death had left a huge void in the Rangers family, describing him as a respected figure whose contributions helped shape the history of the club.

Nwobodo, a veteran Biafran soldier was the pioneer captain of Rangers International and among the early players who helped establish Rangers shortly after the Nigerian Civil War in 1970.

A civil war veteran, he was part of the group of former soldiers and war veterans who formed the backbone of the club and helped turn Rangers into a symbol of post-war recovery, unity and resilience in the South-East.

This is probably going to be my last year of football, Ronaldo hints of retirement 

Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that he could retire from professional football after the 2026-27 season, saying he wants to leave a “spectacular legacy.”

The 41-year-old Portugal captain made the revelation in an interview with Vogue published on Sunday, as he discussed his future following his wedding to partner Georgina Rodríguez.

“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo said.

He had earlier announced his retirement from international football, after leading Portugal at the last 2026 FIFA World cup that was jointly hosted by the United States of America (USA), Canada and Mexico 

The Al-Nassr forward, who began the new season on August 15, said he is already looking ahead to more time with his family.

“I have my future all mapped out,” he said. “I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard.

“Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one. And also have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I’ve earned—what we’ve earned.

“Because after all it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice.”

The comments mark one of the clearest indications yet from the Portuguese star about the approaching end of a career that has included major titles with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Portugal.

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