Fifa president Gianni Infantino has praised Football Australia for “reuniting old soccer and new football” in a video message, as the sport’s national body grapples with financial pain and cultural turmoil.
FA’s annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday was marked by news it was on track to lose $5m in 2026 and the failure of two nominee directors backed by A-League clubs to win a place on the board.
The AGM also featured a surprise address from Infantino, who sent a prerecorded video message.
The Fifa boss praised FA for its work in the region, and described the inaugural season of the Australian Championship – won by South Melbourne – as a “highlight of the Australian football calendar, helping to take giant leaps in reuniting old soccer and new football, as you say in your country”. He went on to say the championship “will continue to close the gap between the first and second tiers of football in Australia”.
FA chair Anter Isaac said he had not watched the clip before it was played in the AGM. “It’s always risky showing videos that no one’s seen,” he said.
This year’s projected $5m loss comes despite increasing revenues related to the World Cup in June, after reporting a loss last year of $15.3m. Despite concern at the financial results expressed by state federations during the AGM, Isaac emphasised that last year’s operating deficit was just $3.2m, and the headline figure was driven up by one-off and non-cash items.
Approximately 20 jobs have been lost as the organisation prepares for belt tightening, made worse this year by the increased travel, accommodation and logistics expenses associated with a World Cup in North America.
Traditionally a men’s World Cup year delivers additional sponsorship, merchandise and other revenues that makes it the high point for income in the four-year cycle, but Isaac conceded it won’t be until 2027 that FA would break even.
New director Rachel Wiseman was appointed deputy chair, and wagering expert Paul Bittar secured a place on the board, after three of the original six candidates for the three vacant seats withdrew before the vote, including former Socceroo Mark Schwarzer.
The two other nominated directors backed by A-League clubs, Jon Sutton and Mark Goodrick, did not attract the votes required from members made up of state federations, A-League clubs, the Women’s Football Council and Professional Footballers Australia.
As a result, two casual vacancies – almost certainly women – will be filled by the board, operating under a constitution amended on Thursday that requires an even gender split among directors in order to be eligible for Australian Sports Commission funding.
While FA still maintains responsibility for football integrity in Australia, it is now working with the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) to build “Asia’s best sports integrity ecosystem”, according to Isaac. The A-Leagues now receive product fees from betting companies that have previously gone to FA to fund integrity initiatives.
