The Turks & Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) proudly welcomes the recent amendments to the FIFA Forward Development Programme Regulations (Forward 3.0), a landmark achievement that will provide fairer access to essential football development funding for smaller nations.
These vital reforms, approved by the FIFA Council on March 5, 2025, address persistent challenges faced by many Member Associations (MAs), particularly in the Caribbean, by extending deadlines for uncommitted FIFA Forward funds and adopting a more flexible approach to assessing funding eligibility. These changes will ensure that football development in smaller nations is no longer hindered by rigid regulatory constraints.
TCIFA President Sonia Fulford, who has led advocacy efforts on behalf of Caribbean Member Associations since 2019, played a pivotal role in championing these discussions. “This is a major victory for small football nations,” said Fulford. “For years, we have worked tirelessly to highlight the unintended barriers the previous regulations imposed on smaller MAs. I am immensely grateful to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, FIFA General Secretary Mattias Grafström, and the FIFA Member Associations Department for their willingness to listen and act. I also want to extend my sincere thanks to Concacaf President Victor Montagliani for his unwavering support throughout this process.”
Since 2019, Fulford has led multiple discussions with FIFA leadership, advocating for regulatory reforms that truly reflect the ‘tailor-made support’ principle of the FIFA Forward programme. The newly approved amendments acknowledge the unique realities faced by smaller nations, allowing MAs with limited populations and resources to sustain leagues, youth programs, and football infrastructure more effectively.
“These changes will create real and lasting impact,” Fulford added. “They mean that Member Associations like ours will no longer be unfairly excluded from funding opportunities due to circumstances beyond our control. Instead, we now have a framework that acknowledges our challenges while ensuring we can continue to grow the game at all levels. While more work remains, this is a significant step forward, and I look forward to continuing our collaboration with FIFA and Concacaf to build on this progress.”
The TCIFA expresses its deep appreciation to all stakeholders who contributed to this process and remains committed to driving the growth and development of football in the Turks & Caicos Islands and across the Caribbean region.