UEFA Congress 2026: All the key decisions
Thursday, February 12, 2026
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Everything you need to know about the 50th edition of our annual Congress, hosted by the Royal Belgian Football Association.
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Presidents and general secretaries from all 55 UEFA member associations gathered in Brussels on Thursday to reflect on European football's place at the heart of our communities, plan its future and reaffirm the values that underpin it.
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin delivered his annual update on the health of the game, with keynote speeches from European Commissioner for Sport Glenn Micallef, RBFA president Pascale Van Damme, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and, for the first time, representatives from Football Supporters Europe.
President Čeferin addresses Congress
FIFPro Europe, who represent professional players across the continent, had their permanent seat on the UEFA Executive Committee ratified, while long-standing member Fernando Gomes was given honorary membership in recognition of his services to the game. Our annual and financial reports for the 2024/25 season were also approved, along with the budget proposal for 2026/27 and several amendments to the UEFA Statutes.
Read on for a quick overview of the main takeaways.
United in diversity
Mr Micallef praised European football's qualities, while calling on stakeholders to work together for the game's future.
"Football is one part of Europe that delivers," he said. "It reflects Europe at its best. The best leagues in the world – European leagues. The best club competitions in the world – European competitions.
"The fact that we are doing well does not mean we stop improving – our responsibility is even greater because here, football means more to people."
President Čeferin echoed the importance of solidarity at a time when the sporting landscape faces rapid change and challenges, drawing on the European Union’s motto, ‘United in Diversity’.
“In societies that divide, football still offers a common language,” said president Čeferin. “That is why ‘United in Diversity’ does not belong only to the EU. It belongs just as much to European football.”
Leading figures from Europe and beyond echoed President Čeferin’s message of shared responsibility:
- Gianni Infantino, FIFA president: “Football wins when we unite.”
- Herman Van Rompuy, former Belgian Prime Minister and former president of the European Council: “European football is not just a reflection of Europe; at its best, it is an inspiration for it.”
- Pascale Van Damme, RBFA president: “UEFA exemplifies strategic vision and inclusive governance. Courage in defending the long-term interests of the game.”
Looking back at the 2024/25 season
Delegates approved the 2024/25 UEFA Annual Report, which outlines progress across competitions, development, sustainability and governance.
A central topic was the impact of the reformed men’s club competitions, with the new format having already transformed the competitive landscape:
- More dynamic, meaningful matches
- Increased drama, goals and tension
- A qualification system rooted in sporting merit rather than historical reputation
A model where qualification is earned on the pitch, season after season, rather than guaranteed by reputation.”
Financial statement: Investing back into the game
Optimism at the Congress was backed by robust financial results. European football continues to reach unprecedented global audiences, generate record revenues and, crucially, redistribute more funding than ever across the football pyramid.
This season alone:
- €450m will be distributed to clubs outside the league phase
- €308m of that will go to clubs not participating in UEFA competitions
The women’s game is experiencing similar momentum. Last year’s Women’s EURO in Switzerland drew more than 650,000 fans to stadiums, with all but two matches sold out, and attracted over 500 million viewers worldwide.
2026/27 budget: A bright future on and off the pitch
Congress also approved the 2026/27 UEFA budget, confirming a total projected income of €5.1bn, the vast majority of which will flow back into the game. The majority of revenue will come from the sale of media rights (81%), followed by commercial rights (16%) and ticketing and hospitality (3%).
In line with our solidarity driven model, 78% of the budget will be distributed to competing teams across all competitions. Solidarity payments constitute 10% of the budget (up from 7% in the last cycle), reaching a total of €455m. Investment in the UEFA Women’s Youth Football pathway will amount to €77m, while funding for development and education will increase by €7m compared with 2025/26.
Our own governing expenses will represent just €122.8m, equivalent to 2.6% of the total budget, underlining a clear priority: maximising reinvestment into European football.
Executive Committee welcomes FIFPro Europe
Players are at the heart of the game and this year’s Congress marked an important step forward in ensuring that their voice is represented at the highest level.
FIFPRO Europe president David Terrier was officially confirmed onto the UEFA Executive Committee, a milestone that reinforces our commitment to inclusive and representative governance across European football.
Terrier said: "By including FIFPRO Europe in its governance structure, UEFA is leading by example among regional football confederations. This strengthens trust and stability among stakeholders and is a positive development towards the implementation of collective agreements that offer a fair and sustainable way to regulate professional football."
President Čeferin added: "Players are a central part of our game, and their voice deserves to be heard at the highest level. Welcoming FIFPRO Europe and David Terrier into the UEFA Executive Committee is a logical and positive step that reflects our commitment to inclusive and representative governance."
Fans first
We were honoured to welcome Football Supporters Europe (FSE) to the Congress stage for the first time. Ronan Evain, FSE’s executive director, and Ted Morris, chair of the Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association, represented millions of fans across the continent in stressing the importance of treating supporters as genuine stakeholders and maintaining open, continuous dialogue.
“Football is stronger when supporters are recognised as stakeholders and partners,” said Evain, while Morris also offered a powerful reminder of the lived experience of many disabled fans, emphasising the importance of considering their needs on a matchday.
Our decisions are guided by this conviction to make football welcoming to everybody. It is why we remain firmly committed to fan-friendly ticketing. At EURO 2028, this will be clearer than ever: fair, transparent principles, with no pricing algorithms, will shape the entire ticketing process.
“I want to applaud UEFA's commitment to fair and transparent ticketing processes for EURO 2028. This puts fans first and you are setting standards here at UEFA that make us incredibly proud,” Commissioner Micallef said.
UEFA Foundation: The heart of football
To conclude the Congress, the UEFA Foundation for Children welcomed 27 youngsters taking part in the RFBA’s Mbo Mpenza Challenge, who shared a simple but powerful message.
“Football is more than a game. It is friendship, happiness, education and peace. Football is citizenship. Football is our future.”
The children also had the chance to meet legends including Luis Figo, Mbo Mpenza, Ruud Gullit and Johan Djourou, as well as president Čeferin and European Football Clubs chair Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
From grassroots pitches to elite stadiums, the message from Brussels was unmistakable: European football is strong, united and ready for the future.
Up next
The 51st UEFA Congress will be held on 4 March 2027 in Astana, Kazakhstan.