FIFA & Board of Peace Announce strategic Partnership for Football Recovery in Gaza

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has announced the implementation of a comprehensive football recovery program in Palestine, in line with the recommendations of the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit held in October 2025.

The initiative includes plans to build 50 mini-pitches under the FIFA Arena project, five full-size stadiums, a FIFA Academy, and a new national stadium with a capacity of 20,000 seats. According to FIFA, the program is designed to create job opportunities, strengthen social cohesion, and support long-term economic recovery.

FIFA signed a landmark partnership agreement with the Peace Board (BoP) to mobilize global investment and harness the power of football to promote recovery, stability, and long-term development in conflict-affected regions.

The agreement was signed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, alongside representatives including Yakir Gabay, member of the Peace Committee’s executive board in Gaza, UN diplomat Nikolay Mladenov, and Dr. Ali Shaath, Commissioner-General of the National Committee for Gaza Administration.

The signing ceremony took place at the Donald J. Trump Institute for Peace in the United States. The Peace Board was unveiled by U.S. President Donald Trump during the World Economic Forum in January 2026, with a focus on reconstruction and stabilization efforts in fragile regions, initially concentrating on Gaza.

Infantino said following the signing: “Today, FIFA and the Peace Board signed a historic partnership agreement that will enhance football funding to support recovery in areas most affected by conflict. Football brings people together and contributes to a world of prosperity, education, equality, and peace.”

The first phase of cooperation will focus on Gaza and combines physical reconstruction with social and economic revitalization. The implementation framework will unfold across four stages.

Phase One – Social Recovery (3–6 months): Construction of 50 mini-pitches under the FIFA Arena initiative near schools and residential areas, alongside the FIFA Football for Schools program and distribution of equipment for youth development.

Phase Two – Professional Infrastructure (12 months): Development of five full-size stadiums to support structured local clubs and organized football pathways.

Phase Three – FIFA Academy (18–36 months): Establishment of a modern center of excellence combining elite sports training, education, and accommodation to nurture talent and create professional opportunities.

Phase Four – National Stadium (18–36 months): Construction of a 20,000-seat national stadium capable of hosting sporting and cultural events, reinforcing national identity and generating sustainable commercial revenue.

FIFA stated that all phases will be implemented in accordance with ongoing safety and security assessments. Once conditions permit, the first phase will be activated with structured stakeholder participation and continuous progress monitoring.

The FIFA Arena initiative forms a cornerstone of the plan and aligns with FIFA’s global commitment to build at least 1,000 mini-pitches worldwide by 2030. Since November 2025, 59 FIFA member associations have joined the program.

The collaboration reflects FIFA’s renewed commitment to peacebuilding efforts, reaffirmed during the Peace Summit held in Sharm El-Sheikh on October 13, 2025, where the organization pledged to contribute to international peace initiatives wherever possible.