World football's governing body has earmarked $21 million (£13 million/€16 million) for this purpose in 2015-2018, up from just under $10.3 million (£6.3 million/€7.9 million) in 2011-2014.

The figure represents less than 2.5 per cent of FIFA's overall $900 million (£554 million/€694 million) development budget for the period.

However, the organisation points out that the women's game also benefits from other FIFA initiatives, such as the Financial Assistance Programme (FAP) and the Goal programme.

The disclosure comes less than three months after FIFA stipulated that at least 15 per cent of a $750,000 (£441,000/€552,000) bonus promised to all member associations in June by President Sepp Blatter, who confirmed this week he will stand next year for re-election, must be used for women's football.

One-third of the bonus was set to be paid out at once, triggering what should have amounted to a near immediate injection of at least $7.8 million (£4.8 million/€5.8 million) into the women's game.

Women's football is se to receive $21 million in the next round of funding from FIFA up to the 2018 World Cup in Russia to help its development ©Getty Images

FIFA's overall $900 million (£554 million/€694 million) development budget for 2015-2018 is up just 12.5 per cent from the $800 million (£492 million/€617 million)originally budgeted for 2011-2014 - far less than the 55.5 per cent cycle-on-cycle increase in the budget for the World Cup itself and the huge 69 per cent jump for "operational expenses and services".

FIFA has produced guidelines to help member associations to apply for and benefit from its women's football development programmes.

These focus on four main areas – competitions, management, education and promotion.

Next year is World Cup year for the women's game, with the tournament set to be held in Canada, bronze medallists at the London 2012 Olympic women's football tournament, in June and July.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
June 2014: FIFA bonus to provide immediate $8 million boost for women's football
June 2014: David Owen: Is FIFA spending too much?