FIFA and Trump's Board of Peace Partner for Gaza Regeneration

The two organizations announce a formal partnership and three-stage plan to rebuild infrastructure and facilities in the Gaza Strip.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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FIFA and President Donald Trump's Board of Peace have announced a formal partnership to support the regeneration of Gaza, including the construction of a new 20,000-seat stadium within three years. The plan involves a three-stage approach starting with 50 mini-pitches near schools and residences, followed by five full-size professional pitches, and culminating in a new FIFA Academy and national stadium. The $7 billion in funding commitments from several Middle Eastern nations, along with a $10 billion pledge from the U.S., will facilitate the reconstruction efforts.

Why it matters

The partnership between FIFA and Trump's Board of Peace represents an attempt to leverage sports and infrastructure development to address the longstanding conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. However, concerns remain about the ongoing occupation of Gaza by Israel and the lack of progress on disarmament by Hamas, raising questions about the feasibility and sustainability of these reconstruction plans.

The details

The agreement was announced after FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with President Trump at the Mar-A-Lago resort in Florida and attended a Board of Peace meeting in Washington, D.C. The three-stage plan includes the construction of 50 mini-pitches near schools and residences within 3-6 months, five full-size professional pitches within 12 months, and a new FIFA Academy and 20,000-seat national stadium within 18 months to 3 years. However, FIFA did not specify the sources of funding or confirm if the Palestine Football Association had been consulted.

  • The partnership was announced on February 20, 2026.
  • The first 50 mini-pitches are planned to be completed within 3-6 months.
  • The five full-size professional pitches are planned to be completed within 12 months.
  • The new FIFA Academy and 20,000-seat national stadium are planned to be completed within 18 months to 3 years.

The players

FIFA

The international governing body of association football, futsal, and beach soccer.

Donald Trump

The 45th and 47th President of the United States, who has styled himself as a bastion of peace and founded the Board of Peace.

Gianni Infantino

The current President of FIFA.

Board of Peace

An organization founded and led by President Donald Trump to oversee the enactment of ceasefires and facilitate reconstruction efforts.

Hamas

The Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist, nationalist, and resistance organization that has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007.

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What they’re saying

“It is not only necessary to rebuild houses, hospitals and schools but also rebuild 'people, emotion, hope and this is what football, my sport, is about.”

— Gianni Infantino, FIFA President

“FIFA would raise $75 million in funding for 'projects in Gaza' and said that FIFA would get 'the greatest stars in the world to go there.'”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This partnership between FIFA and Trump's Board of Peace represents an ambitious attempt to leverage sports infrastructure and development to address the longstanding conflict in Gaza, but significant challenges remain in terms of the ongoing occupation, lack of progress on disarmament, and securing sustainable funding and community buy-in for these reconstruction efforts.