FIFA, the world’s football governing body, has announced a strategic partnership with the Board of Peace (BoP) to spearhead a comprehensive recovery programme for Gaza, Palestine, utilising the power of football. This initiative aims to drive peace, stability, and long-term development in the region.
The agreement, signed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and key BoP representatives, including Gaza Executive Board of Peace member Yakir Gabay, will establish a full football ecosystem in Gaza. This will involve significant infrastructure development, educational programmes, and elite player development, all designed to create jobs, strengthen social cohesion, and revitalise the local economy.
Plans for Gaza are ambitious, including the construction of 50 FIFA Arena mini-pitches, five full-size pitches, a state-of-the-art FIFA Academy, and a new 20,000-seat national stadium. These facilities are intended to provide world-class sporting infrastructure and structured community programmes.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated, “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.” He emphasised FIFA’s commitment to enabling global participation in the sport and leveraging its ability to bring people together for a more prosperous and peaceful world.
The Board of Peace, unveiled by US President Trump in January 2026, is a collective of international leaders and institutions dedicated to reconstruction and stability in fragile regions. Its initial focus is on coordinating humanitarian assistance, rebuilding efforts, and long-term stabilisation in Gaza.
The programme will be rolled out in four phases. Phase I, “Community activation” (3-6 months), will see the installation of 50 FIFA Arena mini-pitches and the “Football for Schools” programme. This will be followed by “Professional infrastructure” (12 months) with five full-size pitches, the “FIFA Academy” (18-36 months) for elite development, and finally, the “National stadium” (18-36 months) to host major events and foster national identity. Implementation will be subject to ongoing safety and security assessments.
