FIFA’s assistance to football in the Cook Islands had led to the development of youth programmes and training sessions over the years.

According to the 2016 – 2022 FIFA Forward Global Development Report, Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) was funded USD $234,428 or around NZD $375,858.45 to assist with the improvement of the drainage and upgrading of the playing surfaces of the CIFA grounds.

FIFA reports that flooding was a constant issue for CIFA and it led to matches at the main two pitches in Rarotonga often being postponed on a regular basis – until FIFA Forward funding helped to improve the drainage and upgrade the playing surfaces.

Funded via a FIFA Forward project costing USD $234,428, the work on the two pitches ensured that matches could be played no matter the weather, reducing the number of postponements and cancellations, FIFA stated.

Work was completed in early 2017, providing the best possible conditions for the development of youth players, elite footballers and staging of international matches by the CIFA in OFC and FIFA competitions.

The new FIFA-funded pitches allowed more training sessions and youth development programmes to be held, and more matches from grassroots up to senior level.

In the Oceania region, FIFA Oceania Member Associations have benefitted from a total entitlement of USD $123.2m where in Fiji some projects include the constructions of a new football centre in the northern part of Fiji – a modern technical centre.

In the Solomon Islands funding was provided for the purchase of new material and equipment for its new football headquarters and technical centre.

FIFA Forward is the biggest sport investment fund in the world right with millions available for FIFA members to invest into football development

It was created back in 2016 when President Gianni Infantino was elected, to redistribute FIFA's revenues equally to the 211 member associations.

Infantino made an historic visit to the Cook Islands in July last year where he said his visit was to see what FIFA could do for more football development, and invest in the game.

The core idea of FIFA Forward was to increase the investment into football development worldwide, achieve more impact with specific and tailor-made projects; and make sure to have more oversight to ensure that the investment in football develop is transparent, carefully managed and effective and to bring people to football and make football truly global.