FIFA has launched the FIFAe Storytelling Fund, offering financial grants to digital creators, member associations, esports teams, and individual community members operating within the eFootball and Rocket League scenes.

Introduced to bolster digital content production and narrative-driven media, the initiative aims to fund authentic storytelling surrounding national teams, players, local grassroots projects, and tournament campaigns across the FIFAe ecosystem.

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The grant operates across two distinct funding streams: one dedicated to official member associations and another open to individual community members. FIFA is inviting submissions across multiple creative formats, including documentary series, podcasts, promotional social media videos, community profiles, and digital graphics assets.

To qualify for support, submissions are evaluated against five core criteria: content fit with qualified players and national teams, distribution strategy, production viability, post-release reporting obligations, and a mandatory rights evaluation requiring original work.

Applicants submit initial concepts through a dedicated application form, with short-listed candidates required to provide a detailed budget breakdown and formal pitch document. “As with any new initiative, funding is limited, and we expect to learn a great deal from this first round,” FIFA stated regarding the launch, adding that insights gained will shape future community funding allocations.

Esports Leaders, the executive gathering at the 5-star Hôtel du Collectionneur will bring together senior decision-makers in and around esports and gaming during the closing days of the Esports World Cup. Find more details at this link.

The storytelling initiative follows ongoing structural expansion across FIFA’s competitive gaming umbrella. After an edition in 2025, FIFA confirmed the return of the FIFAe Finals event for 2026, following through an extended multi-year partnership with the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF), featuring Rocket League and eFootball.

In February 2026, publisher Konami launched the Challenger Series for the FIFAe World Cup 2026 featuring eFootball, establishing a qualification pathway across a record-high of over 110 member nations after the previous year’s event drew 16.51 million participants.

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