FIFA says it invested $2.79 bln through development programme from 2016-22

(Reuters) - FIFA provided $2.79 billion to its member associations and confederations for investment in soccer development over the first two cycles of its Forward Development Programme, the world governing body said in a report on Friday.

Two iterations of the programme - a three-year and four-year cycle - have been completed since it was launched in May 2016, with FIFA committing money to a diverse array of local projects.

"With the third cycle of the FIFA Forward Development Programme now underway, we have the perfect opportunity to reflect on the programme's achievements since its launch in 2016," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.

"From the very start, we pledged that revenues generated by football would be used for the benefit of our sport all around the world; for girls and boys, for women and men, and we have been as good as our word."

In the period up to and including 2022, around 80% of the funds - $2.24 billion - went to FIFA's 211 member associations, with the remainder going to the confederations and regional associations, the report said.

The associations spent the funds on building new, or maintaining existing, infrastructure, developing domestic competitions and covering running costs related to administration and governance.

FIFA added that over 1,600 projects with a "long-term impact on football" had been approved between 2016 and 2022, with almost a third relating to football infrastructure including technical centres and stadiums.

FIFA said member association will receive up to $8 million to support their development activities during the third edition of the programme, which began its four-year cycle in January.