FIFA will spearhead a 75 million US dollars initiative to rebuild Palestinian soccer infrastructure in Gaza that was severely damaged during the war between Israel and Hamas, according to multiple reports citing the sport’s governing body and United States officials. As reported by Agence France-Presse, former US President Donald Trump announced the plan in Washington during the first meeting of his newly created “Board of Peace,” a group of close allies focused initially on Gaza’s reconstruction. Trump said the fund would support football-related projects in Gaza and highlighted that FIFA President Gianni Infantino was present at the event where the initiative was unveiled.
According to AFP, Trump said FIFA would help raise a total of 75 million US dollars for projects centered on rebuilding soccer fields and bringing international stars to the territory as part of efforts to support recovery through sport. Later the same day, FIFA issued a statement outlining plans that include a new national stadium, a football academy and dozens of pitches across Gaza, although the statement did not repeat Trump’s specific funding figure and instead said money would come from “international leaders and institutions.”
Context and reactions: how is the initiative being framed?
According to AFP and regional outlets citing FIFA’s statement, the planned projects include a 20,000-seat national stadium, a state-of-the-art football academy and multiple full-size and mini-pitches spread across Gaza’s neighborhoods, schools and residential areas. FIFA has described the partnership with the Board of Peace as part of a broader strategy to use football to support recovery in post-conflict areas, focusing not only on facilities but also on social and economic engagement.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino called the agreement a “landmark partnership” intended to foster investment into football as a tool for rebuilding communities after conflict, according to statements reported by Egypt Independent and Arab News. Trump, quoted by AFP, said FIFA would raise 75 million US dollars for Gaza projects centered on soccer, and suggested he might travel to the territory with Infantino once conditions allow.
Supporting details
As reported by Al-Masry Al-Youm and other outlets, the partnership between FIFA and the Board of Peace aims to attract investments from global leaders and institutions to finance the Gaza football projects. Plans outlined in these reports include constructing 50 mini-pitches near schools and housing areas, five full-size pitches in different neighborhoods, the FIFA Academy and the new national stadium.
According to FIFA’s statement cited by regional media, the program is also expected to emphasize job creation, youth engagement and the organization of football leagues for boys and girls, alongside stimulating local businesses connected to the game. The initiative is framed as part of a long-term sustainable development effort, with FIFA indicating it will “drive” the partnership with support from the Board of Peace and other international actors.
Implications and future developments: what comes next?
Reports indicate that further details on timelines, governance and specific funding commitments from participating countries and institutions are expected to be announced by FIFA and the Board of Peace in the coming period. According to AFP and regional coverage, the initiative is positioned as one element in broader reconstruction efforts in Gaza following a ceasefire negotiated with the involvement of the United States, Qatar and Egypt.
FIFA’s emphasis on youth programs, local leagues and employment suggests that the football projects are intended to have community and economic impacts beyond the rebuilding of stadiums and pitches, based on details released so far. However, FIFA’s statement, as reported by multiple outlets, underlines that funding will depend on contributions from “international leaders and institutions,” making future diplomatic and financial commitments critical to the full implementation of the 75 million US dollars vision described by Trump.
The initiative, as reported by international and regional media, confirms that FIFA will take a leading role in coordinating football-related reconstruction in Gaza, working alongside the Board of Peace and potential donor governments and organizations. Further announcements from FIFA and partner institutions are expected to clarify project timelines, oversight mechanisms and the pace at which Gaza’s football infrastructure can be rebuilt.
