FIFA and Board of Peace announce strategic partnership to drive recovery and peace through football

FIFA and the Board of Peace (BoP) have signed a landmark partnership agreement aimed at mobilising international investment to harness the power of football in supporting recovery, stability and long-term development in conflict-affected regions.

The agreement was signed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Gaza Executive Board of Peace member Yakir Gabay, High Representative for Gaza H.E. Nickolay Mladenov, and Chief Commissioner of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza Dr Ali Shaath.

The ceremony took place at the Donald J. Trump US Institute of Peace Headquarters.

The BoP, unveiled by US President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in January 2026, brings together international leaders and institutions committed to advancing reconstruction and stability in fragile regions.

Initially focused on Gaza, Palestine, the initiative coordinates humanitarian assistance, rebuilding efforts and long-term stabilisation.

“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,” said Infantino.

“Football brings people together and contributes to a more prosperous, educated, equal and peaceful world.”

Comprehensive recovery programme for Gaza

The first phase of the collaboration will deliver a comprehensive recovery programme for Gaza, combining physical reconstruction with social and economic activation.

Plans include:

▪︎ 50 FIFA Arena mini-pitches located near schools and residential areas

▪︎ Five full-size pitches across multiple districts

▪︎ A state-of-the-art FIFA Academy

▪︎ A new 20,000-seat national stadium

▪︎ Alongside infrastructure, the programme prioritises job creation, workforce upskilling, youth participation, organised leagues for girls and boys, community engagement and local commercial stimulation.

Four-phase implementation plan

Phase I – Community activation (3–6 months): Installation of 50 FIFA Arena mini-pitches, rollout of the FIFA Football for Schools programme, equipment distribution and structured grassroots activities.

Phase II – Professional infrastructure (12 months): Development of five full-size pitches to enable organised clubs and structured football pathways.

Phase III – FIFA Academy (18–36 months): Creation of a centre of excellence integrating elite sport, education and accommodation to support talent identification and professional pathways.

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

Implementation will proceed in line with ongoing safety and security assessments.

Phase I activation will begin once conditions allow, supported by stakeholder engagement and milestone-based reporting.

The initiative forms part of FIFA’s broader commitment to install at least 1,000 mini-pitches globally by 2030, with 59 Member Associations already participating as of November 2025.