Breaking: Major Boost for Kenyan Football as FIFA Restores Funding

Football Kenya Federation has received a major boost after FIFA confirmed the resumption of its standard development funding under the FIFA Forward Programme.

In a letter addressed to FKF, FIFA said the decision was reached by the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee following its meeting held on 8 December 2025. The committee reviewed the progress made by FKF since last year, alongside the reported results of the 2024 central audit review.

FIFA noted the positive steps taken by the federation in implementing its agreed action plan, as well as the improved audit outcomes. On the basis of this progress, FKF’s case was positively reviewed, paving the way for the immediate resumption of Forward Programme development funding.

While welcoming the development, FIFA urged FKF to sustain the reform momentum, particularly in strengthening financial management and governance standards. The world football governing body also confirmed that the monthly reporting mechanism on the use of FIFA Forward funds will remain in place at least until the next Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee meeting scheduled for March 2026.

FIFA further reaffirmed its commitment to supporting FKF, noting that its Member Associations Division and the MA Services – Financial Governance Team remain available to provide technical assistance and guidance throughout the reform process.

Key Objectives and Areas of Investment Under the FIFA Forward Programme

The FIFA Forward Programme is designed to deliver long-term, sustainable football development across all member associations. The funding supports a wide range of activities and projects aimed at strengthening the game at all levels.

A significant portion of the funding is invested in infrastructure development, including the construction and upgrading of stadiums, technical centres and football pitches, both natural and artificial turf. These investments are intended to provide high-quality venues for training and competition.

The programme also places strong emphasis on grassroots and youth development, supporting initiatives that nurture young talent and ensure promising players are not held back by limited resources, inadequate facilities or lack of access to quality coaching.

Another key pillar is capacity building, with funds allocated towards education and training for coaches, referees and football administrators. This helps strengthen human resource capacity within member associations and improves overall standards across the game.

Women’s football remains a priority area, with targeted investment aimed at strengthening leagues, competitions and development pathways for girls and women, increasing participation levels and enhancing international competitiveness.

In addition, the funding supports governance and administration, helping member associations improve operational efficiency, transparency and compliance, while strengthening institutional structures.

Under the current FIFA Forward 3.0 cycle running from 2023 to 2026, more than USD 9.7 billion has been budgeted for reinvestment into football globally. Each FIFA member association is entitled to receive up to USD 8 million over the four-year cycle, split between operational support and specific development projects.

For FKF, the resumption of Forward funding marks a critical step in stabilising its operations and advancing football development initiatives nationwide, as the federation continues its efforts to rebuild trust, strengthen governance and grow the game across Kenya