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FIFA Forward Program invests USD 3 million in the United States Soccer Federation’s “Innovate to Grow” initiative
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The ITG aims to improve participation, strengthen skills and break down social and economic barriers across the country
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The initiative aims to build on the enthusiasm generated by the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup™ and the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ to secure the future of American football
By significantly contributing to the funding of the “Innovate to Grow” (ITG) initiative, the FIFA Forward Development Program supports the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) in its efforts to consolidate foundations of football throughout the country.
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ and the 2026 FIFA World Cup™organized jointly with Canada and Mexico, will take place in the United States and there is therefore every reason to expect that these two competitions will significantly revitalize the growth of football in this country.
This increased media exposure will indirectly benefit the ITG in its goal of strengthening grassroots football by making funding available to USSF member organizations, players, coaches and referees who enliven amateur football. This approach should guarantee the good health of the discipline in the long term. “The ITG initiative demonstrates a common desire of the USSF and FIFA to strengthen the federation’s member organizations, recognizing the essential role they play in the development of football across the country,” explains José Alfonso Rodríguez, head of the regional office in Panama. “Through the implementation of new programs, we want to improve participation and contribute to the creation of a dynamic environment that will last for several generations.” “The ITG officially began in 2017 to help USSF member organizations design innovative programs for engagement,” says Melissa Radke, USSF Director of Member Strategy. “FIFA is aware of the importance of our approach. By deciding to make its contribution to us through funds from the Forward program, it validates the quality of the work carried out on a daily basis by our members.”
Initiative “Innovate To Grow” de l’U.S. Soccer
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Indianapolis – U.S Soccer’s Innovate To Grow Initiative
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Atlanta – U.S Soccer’s Innovate To Grow Initiative
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Atlanta – U.S Soccer’s Innovate To Grow Initiative
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Indianapolis – U.S Soccer’s Innovate To Grow Initiative
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Atlanta – U.S Soccer’s Innovate To Grow Initiative
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Indianapolis – U.S Soccer’s Innovate To Grow Initiative
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Atlanta – U.S Soccer’s Innovate To Grow Initiative
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Chicago – U.S Soccer’s Innovate To Grow Initiative
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Indianapolis – U.S Soccer’s Innovate To Grow Initiative
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Atlanta – U.S Soccer’s Innovate To Grow Initiative
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The Forward program will cover USD 3 million of the USD 3.334 million of the current phase, which runs from August 2023 to February 2027. Eight of the 27 projects presented by the 25 member associations of the USSF will also benefit from initial funding . Of course, all of these projects correspond to the main principles of the USSF in terms of education, training and player safety. The ITG accepts both new initiatives and the strengthening of existing programs for three years. Its action focuses on four strategic sectors: increasing the participation of young people and adults, improving the retention rate, fighting against economic and social obstacles within disadvantaged and unaffiliated associations in rural and urban areas, and promoting diversity of football disciplines. Several of these programs are directly integrated into the education system, such as in Indianapolis. The Public Schools Futsal program is part of a statewide plan to introduce the sport to more than 1.1 million schoolchildren.
“It is an extraordinary opportunity to benefit from the assistance of FIFA and the USSF in this noble mission,” said Dave Guthrie, general manager of Indiana Soccer. “These additional resources will allow us to introduce all Indiana school children to football.” Atlanta, one of the 16 host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, will host eight matches in this edition, which is already shaping up to be one of the most inclusive of all time. The ITG project for the city aims to allow all children to play football, by facilitating access to the field. “Thanks to the grant awarded by FIFA and USSF, we will be able to realize our project by allowing more children in more neighborhoods to play more football. We are currently present at 13 sites in and around Atlanta. In all of these areas, access to traditional soccer was very difficult for young people,” says Dan Howald, director of program delivery for the American Youth Soccer Organization, which partnered with Georgia Soccer on the this project.
“We are grateful for the help provided to us in fulfilling the mission we have set for ourselves. We are proud to contribute to the excitement around football in the run-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.” The initiative also places emphasis on improving refereeing, training coaches and strengthening skills. For example, in Illinois, the ITG allowed the Illinois Youth Soccer Association to cover the registration fees for the USSF Beginner Referee Seminar held in February 2024, as well as half the cost of the training kit. beginner referee for teenagers aged 13 to 17. This initiative, carried out in collaboration with the Illinois Soccer Referees Committee and local clubs, resulted in 300 players being registered as referees as of October 1 of this year. “FIFA’s support has had a significant impact on grassroots football, encouraging us to try new ideas that can help create a positive environment,” said Mary Jane Bender, chief executive of Illinois. Youth Soccer Association. “It also proves that FIFA is a healthy and caring organization, which understands the reality on the ground and supports us in designing solutions that will improve everyone’s experience.”
“The ITG encourages USSF member organizations to launch new initiatives that go beyond their traditional audiences, in order to prioritize local growth,” concludes Rodríguez, who was able to visit himself has seen the positive impact of the ITG programs in Atlanta, Indianapolis and Chicago.
“Having observed several of these local initiatives, I can tell you that it is not just about money; the ITG is an investment in innovation and participation, but also a shared commitment to the service of football .”
