2026 World Cup

FIFA has invested 5 billion over the last 10 years in the development of global football

Between 2016 and 2026, investments were made through the Forward Programme, primarily to support grassroots football in the poorest countries

by Emanuele Cuomo

20 June 2026

Calcio - Coppa del Mondo FIFA 2026 - Gruppo H - Spagna-Capo Verde - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, Stati Uniti - 15 giugno 2026. Vozinha di Capo Verde para un tiro. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

Old and new powers
Investments in the development of football
Grassroots Programme
Cape Verde

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

The first 48-team World Cup has further expanded the boundaries set by 96 years of history. In 1930, the first World Cup was held in Uruguay; FIFA launched a tournament with 13 participating teams under the leadership of President Jules Rimet. In 1934, Italia won the 16-team tournament; this was expanded to 24 teams for the 1982 World Cup in Spain, which was again won by the Italian national team. France ’98 saw 32 teams take part.

Old and new powers

The expanded 2026 tournament in Canada, Mexico and the USA was strongly championed by Gianni Infantino. The move to 48 teams was ratified by the FIFA Council in January 2017, just under a year after the elections held at the Congress in Zurich in February 2016. The policy implemented by Infantino earned him a further re-election in 2023 at the Congress in Kigali, Rwanda, where he was re-elected for a second term, which will end in 2027.

The North American World Cup features long-standing national teams such as Brazil (making their 23rd appearance out of 23), Germany (21), Argentina (19), Mexico (18), Spain, England and France (17). It is the first time for Curaçao, Cape Verde, Jordan and Uzbekistan. It is the second appearance for Bosnia (recognised by FIFA in 1995), Haiti, Iraq, Qatar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

Investments in the development of football

Faced with the clash between football’s traditional powers and the new contenders, world football’s governing body has sought to ensure it is not caught unprepared. Between 2016 and 2026, through the FIFA Forward Programme (now in its third cycle), investments totalling 5.1 billion dollars (2.8 in the first two rounds) have been made, with funds allocated to projects promoted by the 211 member associations, the six continental confederations and regional bodies.

Each member association has been guaranteed a grant of 8 million dollars over the last four years. In total, over 2,000 projects have been approved, covering the following areas: the improvement of existing infrastructure or the construction of new sports facilities; the organisation and revitalisation of national competitions (including women’s football); initiatives aimed at developing skills amongst those working in the sport (coaches, managers, instructors and referees); support for national teams, the development of youth football and other grants, including the implementation of technologies such as VAR (Video Assistant Referee).

Grassroots Programme

The participation of new teams in the World Cup is also down to the investments made through the FIFA Grassroots Programme, which is dedicated to the development of grassroots football. The initiative is aimed at boys and girls aged 6 to 12, with the aim of increasing participation in sport through school, community and club activities, whilst promoting social values and inclusion and preventing problems in a fun and enjoyable way.

The Grassroots Festival took place in Coverciano on 13 and 14 June 2026, with 76 teams taking part. Over 2,700 people attended the event – including young players, coaches and spectators – organised by the Youth and Schools Department to celebrate the grassroots football season.

To support the development of football, FIFA and UEFA run a number of programmes and initiatives: from Football for Schools (FIFA – football and school education) to the Talent Development Scheme (FIFA – talent development and scouting), from Women’s Football Development (FIFA – the growth of women’s football) to Coach Education (FIFA – coach training and qualifications).

Cape Verde

Looking beyond Europe’s borders, in Cape Verde, in the run-up to the country’s first appearance at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, 15 artificial pitches were built in a region where the arid climate makes it difficult to maintain natural grass pitches. On the African continent, as part of FIFA’s Football for Hope initiative, the ‘20 Centres for 2010’ programme was launched to leave a social legacy following the World Cup held in South Africa. In Cape Verde, a centre for disadvantaged young people was set up to promote educational inclusion and creativity.

More recently, through the FIFA Forward Programme (2023–2026), the following amounts have been invested: $2.5 million in infrastructure, $956,000 for the national teams, $1.4 million for the leagues and $900,000 for other development projects. Money well spent. Indeed, in Atlanta, in the opening match of Group H at the 2026 World Cup, the Cape Verde national team held European champions Spain to a 0–0 draw. Cape Verde, a nation of 527,000 inhabitants, is the third-smallest country to qualify for a World Cup after Curaçao and Iceland (in the African qualifying group, it finished ahead of Cameroon). There is a festive atmosphere on the Caribbean island of Curaçao. Qualification for the World Cup for the nation of 150,000 people was secured in November 2025, thanks to a draw in Kingston against Jamaica; the 0–0 result secured first place in Group B of the third round of the CONCACAF qualifiers. In their opening match, Curaçao were thrashed 7–1 by Germany in Houston, but the squad announcements made over the radio, the team’s travels on a vintage bus, and the first goal scored by Comenencia (formerly of Juventus Next Gen, now with the Zurich-based club) have already made history at this World Cup.