January 14 – The Football Association of Serbia (FSS) has agreed its budget for 2026, totalling €32,234,253. While the figure represents a symbolic increase on paper compared to last year, local warnings are that the organisation is entering its most precarious financial period in a decade.
Behind the technical growth lies a grim reality: a year without a major tournament, dwindling sponsorships, and systemic internal issues are threatening to destabilize Serbian football.
Despite the marginal year-on-year increase, the 2026 budget is significantly lower than in years when the national team participated in the European Championship or the World Cup. Specifically, the current budget is €6.8 million lower than it was in 2018.
With the national team not playing competitive games until September, the FSS will miss out on substantial UEFA revenues, relying instead on smaller fees from international friendlies.
Reports indicate the FSS currently has only four active sponsors, with their spending falling far short of what is required to sustain the national football system.
The FSS faces an immediate financial hurdle in February—a €3.2 million (373.6 million RSD) payment due to Telekom Srbija.
The crisis isn’t just about missing tournament revenue; it’s also about internal mismanagement. Serbian media have highlighted the ongoing issue of “phantom employees”—individuals on the payroll who reportedly haven’t been seen at FSS headquarters in years.
Critics also point to a decade-long decline in staffing quality, alleging that the budget is being drained by positions filled through nepotism and political connections rather than professional merit.
The financial pressure is already being felt on the ground. Recent weeks have seen clubs and match officials voice concerns over delayed payments for TV rights and officiating fees. While some funds were released at the last moment to avoid immediate collapse, the looming February debt to Telekom suggests that liquidity remains a major concern.
Without a major overhaul of how the Association is managed and funded, 2026 could mark a breaking point for the country’s football infrastructure.
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at [email protected]