FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced a landmark partnership between world soccer’s governing body and the Board of Peace at the inaugural meeting in Washington Thursday, outlining ambitious plans to develop football infrastructure throughout the Gaza Strip. Infantino described soccer as “the world’s universal language, spoken by 6 billion fans who have the same feelings,” emphasizing that “peace is essential to achieving that unity.”
Comprehensive Football Ecosystem
A promotional video presented at the meeting detailed plans to create “a complete football ecosystem” in Gaza, including construction of 50 FIFA Arena mini-pitches at approximately $50,000 each, representing a $2.5 million investment. Five full-size pitches will be built across five different districts at roughly $1 million per pitch. The initiative also envisions a FIFA Academy with an estimated $15 million investment and a national stadium accommodating 20,000-25,000 spectators valued at approximately $50 million.
Beyond Physical Infrastructure
Infantino stressed that FIFA’s contribution extends beyond physical reconstruction, stating: “We also have to rebuild and build people, emotion, hope and trust. And this is what football, my sport, is about.” He noted that after hearing presentations at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the organization recognized “we need to help. We need to do something.” The partnership represents a significant international commitment to using sport as a vehicle for community rebuilding and social cohesion in Gaza following years of genocide.