FIFA and Board of Peace Partner for Football Recovery in Gaza

50 FIFA Arena mini-pitches, full-size pitches, academy and national stadium planned to drive jobs, social cohesion and economic revitalization.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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FIFA and the Board of Peace (BoP) have signed a landmark partnership agreement to actively source investment from international leaders and institutions to support recovery, stability and long-term development in conflict-affected regions, starting with a comprehensive program in Gaza, Palestine. The plan includes 50 FIFA Arena mini-pitches, five full-size pitches, a FIFA Academy, and a new 20,000-seat national stadium, along with community programs, workforce development, and commercial activation.

Why it matters

This partnership aims to harness the power of football to drive recovery, stability and economic revitalization in the conflict-affected Gaza region. By combining infrastructure, education and elite development, the initiative is designed to generate jobs, strengthen social cohesion and support long-term economic growth.

The details

The first phase of the collaboration will provide a comprehensive recovery program for Gaza, including the installation of 50 FIFA Arena mini-pitches near schools and residential areas, five full-size pitches, a state-of-the-art FIFA Academy, and a new 20,000-seat national stadium. Alongside the infrastructure, the program prioritizes job creation, workforce upskilling, youth participation, organized leagues, community engagement and local commercial activity.

  • The partnership agreement was signed on February 20, 2026.
  • Phase I of the program, focused on community activation, will begin within 3-6 months.
  • Phase II, developing the professional infrastructure, is planned for the following 12 months.
  • Phases III and IV, building the FIFA Academy and national stadium, are expected to take 18-36 months.

The players

Gianni Infantino

The President of FIFA, the international governing body of association football.

Yakir Gabay

A member of the Executive Board of Peace (BoP).

Nickolay Mladenov

The High Representative for Gaza.

Dr. Ali Shaath

The Chief Commissioner of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.

Donald J. Trump

The former President of the United States, who unveiled the Board of Peace (BoP) at the World Economic Forum in January 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Today, FIFA and the Board of Peace have signed a landmark partnership agreement that will foster investment into football for the purpose of helping the recovery process in post conflict areas.”

— Gianni Infantino, FIFA President

“FIFA wants as many people as possible around the world to participate in our game and benefit from the opportunities it creates. Football brings people together and contributes to a more prosperous, educated, equal and peaceful world. Together with the support of the Board of Peace, FIFA will drive this partnership which is built to deliver impact at every stage.”

— Gianni Infantino, FIFA President

What’s next

The implementation of the program will proceed in line with ongoing monitoring of safety and security conditions in Gaza. Once circumstances allow, the activation of Phase I will begin, supported by structured stakeholder engagement and milestone-based progress reporting.

The takeaway

This partnership between FIFA and the Board of Peace represents a unique opportunity to leverage the power of football to drive recovery, stability and long-term economic development in a conflict-affected region. By combining infrastructure, education, and community engagement, the initiative aims to create jobs, strengthen social cohesion, and support the revitalization of Gaza.