FIFA-backed projects driving youth football development in Liberia

Youth football development in Liberia is gaining momentum following a series of projects supported by FIFA and implemented in collaboration with the Liberia Football Association (LFA).

One of the latest initiatives is the FIFA Arena project, which aims to build 1,000 football pitches worldwide by 2031, particularly in underserved urban and rural communities.

The project arrived in Liberia in September 2025, with two mini-pitches installed at schools in Paynesville, within the Greater Monrovia area. The facilities are expected to benefit more than 3,000 children and provide increased opportunities for young people to participate in football.

Beyond the FIFA Arena initiative, FIFA Forward funding has also contributed to infrastructure development across the country.

A standard-size FIFA-approved artificial playing surface was installed at the Gompa Stadium in northeastern Nimba County.

The project also includes major upgrades to the stadium, including floodlights, an underground sprinkler system, improved fencing and roofing for spectator stands.

FIFA support has also extended to grassroots football. In 2025, the LFA rolled out its Grassroots Football School League across various age categories, integrating football into school activities while promoting the broader development of young learners.

The FIFA Forward Programme has further supported the refurbishment of Liberia’s national stadium, the Stade Antoinette Tubman Stadium.

The upgrades included the installation of new floodlights, allowing the venue to host night matches across different age groups and creating more opportunities for women’s football.

Liberia FA President Mustapha Raji highlighted the impact of the initiatives on the country’s football development.

“For the first time, we have grassroots leagues in our country running from U-12, U-15 (to) U-17,” Raji said.

“For the first time, we’ve seen women’s football grow in our country, all through the support, to the [innovative introduction] of the FIFA Forward Programme.”

The projects form part of FIFA’s wider investment in football development, with infrastructure, grassroots participation and access to football facilities identified as key areas for expanding the game in communities around the world.