FIFA and Board of Peace Launch Football Infrastructure Rebuilding Initiative in Gaza

Gaza: FIFA and the Board of Peace (BoP) have inked a significant partnership to secure investments from global leaders and institutions, leveraging football to aid recovery and promote long-term development in conflict-impacted regions, with a primary focus on Gaza. According to Emirates News Agency, the agreement was signed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Gaza Executive Board of Peace member Yakir Gabay, High Representative for Gaza Nickolay Mladenov, and Chief Commissioner of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza Dr. Ali Shaath. This agreement sets a long-term framework for developing a comprehensive football ecosystem in Gaza, aimed at providing world-class infrastructure, community programs, and sustainable economic opportunities. Unveiled by US President Trump at the World Economic Forum in January 2026, the BoP aims to unite international leaders and institutions to advance reconstruction and stability in fragile regions. Initially concentrating on Gaza, the BoP coordinates humanit arian aid, rebuilding efforts, and long-term stabilization strategies. Infantino emphasized the significance of the partnership, noting that the initiative aims to foster investment in football to aid in the recovery of post-conflict areas. He highlighted FIFA's goal to engage as many people as possible in the game, enhancing global prosperity, education, equality, and peace. The collaboration with the Board of Peace is structured to deliver impactful results at every stage of its implementation. The first phase of the partnership focuses on providing a comprehensive recovery program for Gaza, integrating physical reconstruction with social and economic initiatives. The plan includes the creation of 50 FIFA Arena mini-pitches, five full-size pitches, a FIFA Academy, and a new 20,000-seat national stadium. In addition to construction, the program emphasizes job creation, workforce development, youth participation, organized leagues for girls and boys, community engagement, and local commercial activity stim ulation. The implementation framework consists of four phases, with each phase targeting different aspects of infrastructure and community development. The project's execution will be contingent upon ongoing safety and security assessments. Once conditions permit, Phase I will commence, supported by structured stakeholder engagement and milestone-based progress tracking. Central to this phase is the FIFA Arena initiative, contributing to FIFA's global commitment to install at least 1,000 mini-pitches by 2030. As of November 2025, 59 FIFA Member Associations had joined this initiative, which provides durable playing spaces in underserved communities.