The FIFA Forward 3.0 Workshop, hosted by FIFA, was held in Tokyo for three days from Tuesday, 16 May to Thursday, 18 May.

This workshop, held for East Asia Member Associations, brought together a total of 21 participants, including presidents, general secretaries, and finance directors from eight different countries and regions, including MIYAMOTO Tsuneyasu, JFA General Secretary, taking part from Japan. Twelve FIFA representatives, including guest speakers, travelled to Japan for this three-day programme.

FIFA Forward was launched in 2016 with the aim of achieving sustainable development and raising the level of football of FIFA's member associations and confederations. The programme offers support that is tailored to the needs of each country, such as infrastructure development, capacity development, competition, and national team support through dedicated funding. Following the revision of the regulations at the end of 2022, FIFA has been hosting workshops in various regions since January 2023 to share knowledge with member associations about FIFA’s support system, with a focus on the new regulations. 

On the first day of the workshop in Tokyo, FIFA guest speakers gave presentations on topics such as the new FIFA Forward 3.0 regulations, member association strategy development, and financial governance, while representatives from the FIFA Regional office presented examples of FIFA Forward projects and best practices.

Days two and three covered a wide range of subjects, including FIFA's technical development programme, strategies to develop women's football, and its projects in the areas of integrity and digital skills, among others. In addition to the lectures, bilateral meetings between FIFA and each member association were held to discuss the significance of utilising FIFA's support programmes with a long-term strategic vision in mind, as well as to share information and ideas on applying for FIFA Forward funding.

Following the lectures held on the second day, all participants, including the FIFA guest speakers, were given a tour of Prince Takamado Memorial JFA YUME Field in Chiba, Japan. After the tour, a friendly match was held between the “FIFA Team,” made up of the workshop participants and FIFA guest speakers, and the “JFA Team,” captained by JFA General Secretary MIYAMOTO, providing a valuable platform to deepen friendship beyond the boundaries of affiliated organisations and member associations.

FIFA’s Comment

Mr. Sanjeevan BALASINGAM (Regional Director Asia & Oceania, FIFA)
Since 2016, we have successfully delivered the first 2 cycles of FIFA FORWARD through the MA Division and its Regional Office in Kuala Lumpur as the first point of contact for MAs at FIFA and, as such, as a central hub of coordination between FIFA and its member associations in East Asia.
With the new 3.0 cycle kicking in, FIFA will have invested a total of USD 169 million into the overall development of football in 9 East Asian Member Associations from 2016 until 2026. It is our collaborative goal and responsibilities to make sustainable investment of FIFA Forward funds to ensure greater impact & legacy of our development projects.
The objective of this workshop is to launch the new FORWARD cycle and assist all 9 EAST ASIAN Member Associations to successfully continue their FIFA Forward journey.
To provide participants with the best assistances and services, we have invited alongside our dear colleagues from AFC, MA Division, Women´s Football, Technical Development, Integrity and Digital to this workshop to accommodate Member Associations’ needs to develop football in their respective countries & regions.

Member Association’s Comment

Mr. Valentino SAN GIL (President, Guam Football Association)
I am grateful to FIFA for organising such an exceptional workshop, not only providing the East Asia MAs with information and guidance on the FIFA Forward 3.0 regulations and financial governance, but using a multifaceted, interconnected approach to football development in the presentations. Experts – in governance, strategic planning, women’s football, technical development, integrity and the new FIFA Forward Platform and FIFA Digital Skills – shared with us the programmes and support available to the MAs to truly make an impact in our region and globally. The exchange of ideas and experiences amongst all the participants was a testament to the MAs’ commitment to work as a team for our game. Last but not least, I would like to express my deep appreciation to JFA for hosting the workshop in beautiful Tokyo with world-class hospitality and organisation. Arigatou gozaimashita.