FIFA President Visits Bhutan as Football Funding Proposal Reaches USD 25 Million
FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited Bhutan as proposed funding of up to USD 25 million raised prospects for new football facilities and youth programmes.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited Bhutan on 19 and 20 October 2026, meeting national leaders and outlining plans that could substantially increase investment in the country’s football infrastructure, youth development and women’s game.
During a joint press conference with Bhutan Football Federation President Ugen Tsechup, Infantino said Bhutan could receive an allocation of up to USD 25 million for the 2027 to 2030 funding cycle.
The figure forms part of FIFA’s proposed Surplus Solidarity Programme for all 211 member associations. It is not yet a final grant to Bhutan. The conditions governing eligibility, applications, approval, disbursement and auditing are due to be considered by the FIFA Council in December 2026. The wider programme will then require approval at the FIFA Congress in March 2027.
The Visit At A Glance
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Potential FIFA allocation | Up to USD 25 million for 2027 to 2030 |
| Funding approval | Subject to FIFA governance and approval processes |
| Proposed football academy | Under consideration and awaiting feasibility assessment |
| Proposed academy capacity | 250 boys and 250 girls |
| FIFA Himalaya Cup | An exploratory regional competition |
| Main development areas | Infrastructure, coaching, youth football, women’s football and competitions |
Meetings With Bhutanese Leaders
During the two-day visit, Infantino met King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, president of the Bhutan Olympic Committee.
His meeting with the Prime Minister covered football’s role in engaging young people and bringing communities together. The government also expressed appreciation for FIFA’s continuing support for football development in Bhutan.
Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck hosted a lunch for Infantino and his delegation at Pangrizampa in Thimphu. The programme included cultural performances and demonstrations of Bhutanese indigenous sports, including archery and khuru, a traditional game in which players throw darts at a distant target.
Infantino is the second FIFA president known to have visited Bhutan. Sepp Blatter visited the country in March 2012 and attended the groundbreaking ceremony for an artificial football pitch at Changlimithang Stadium.
Focus On Grassroots And Youth Football
Infantino visited Changlimithang Stadium and the Bhutan Football Federation’s headquarters and training centre, known as the Home of Happiness.
He observed a grassroots football session and met Bhutan’s under-15 boys’ national team, which is preparing to participate in the inaugural FIFA Under-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan.
A new programme for children under the age of 12 was also launched during the visit. FIFA and the Bhutan Football Federation plan to expand talent identification, coach development and competitive opportunities for young players.
Bhutan’s youth football system has grown through school programmes, regional training centres and club academies. In July 2026, Paro FC became the first club in South Asia to receive a Two-Star rating under the Asian Football Confederation’s Elite Youth Scheme.
USD 25 Million Remains Subject To Approval
Infantino compared the proposed allocation with the USD 1 million available to each member association over a four-year period when he became FIFA president in 2016.
FIFA’s existing development funding has already supported artificial pitches, floodlights, the federation’s headquarters and training centre, the National Women’s League and regional youth training programmes in Bhutan.
The proposed USD 25 million allocation would be tied to the development of youth and women’s football, long-term projects and infrastructure. However, the final amount available to Bhutan and the conditions attached to it will depend on the programme’s approval and FIFA’s application process.
The investment would build on other efforts to expand the country’s international football connections, including the Bhutan Football Federation’s 2026 partnership with sportswear company Hummel.
A Football Academy For 500 Young Players
FIFA is also considering a Bhutan Football Federation proposal for a new academy capable of accommodating 500 young players, divided equally between boys and girls.
The proposed complex would combine football training with schooling and include four pitches. FIFA is expected to send specialists to Bhutan to study its feasibility before any decision is made.
The academy therefore remains a proposal rather than an approved construction project. Questions about its location, cost, timetable and operating arrangements have yet to be publicly confirmed.
Regional Competition Under Discussion
FIFA is exploring the possibility of creating a regional competition provisionally called the FIFA Himalaya Cup.
No participating countries, competition format or schedule have been announced. If developed, the tournament could give Bhutan and other teams in the Himalayan region additional competitive opportunities, but the proposal remains at an early stage.
Turning Investment Into Long-Term Development
The visit placed particular emphasis on creating opportunities for children, strengthening coaching and increasing participation among women and girls.
Bhutan entered FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying for the first time during the campaign for the 2027 tournament. The national women’s team finished third in its group after victories over Lebanon and Singapore.
The proposed funding would give the Bhutan Football Federation greater capacity to expand this work. Its eventual impact will depend on FIFA’s approval process and on how future investments are translated into accessible facilities, qualified coaches, regular competitions and sustainable player development programmes.
