FIFA invests USD 4.3m in Côte d’Ivoire football development through Bingerville technical centre upgrade

FIFA has invested USD 4,341,743 in upgrading Côte d’Ivoire’s national technical centre in Bingerville as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen football development in the West African country.

The project, completed in 2025 with support from the FIFA Forward programme, forms part of a broader partnership between FIFA and the Ivorian Football Association (FIF) aimed at improving football infrastructure, nurturing young talent and expanding opportunities for boys and girls.

The upgraded technical centre features renovated existing infrastructure, including a swimming pool, alongside newly constructed facilities designed to meet the demands of modern football.

The new facilities include a medical area, an accommodation block, a gymnasium and a dedicated training building, providing an improved environment for player development and preparation.

The centre serves national teams across all age groups and local clubs, while also offering a suitable base for scouting and developing emerging talent.

FIF President Yacine Idriss Diallo has praised FIFA’s contribution to the development of Ivorian football, highlighting the importance of the partnership in building a sustainable foundation for the sport.

“We cannot overlook everything FIFA is doing for Ivorian football through its various development programmes. Our ties and collaboration with FIFA have always been strong, and they will remain so,” Diallo said.

“Together, we will continue to help Ivorian football shine on the national, continental and global stages.”

Beyond infrastructure investment, FIFA and the FIF have collaborated on several initiatives designed to expand participation and use football as a tool for education and personal development.

One of the key initiatives is the Football for Schools programme, which Côte d’Ivoire joined in 2022.

The programme uses football to help children develop life skills, build independence and learn in an engaging environment.

The partnership also featured the FIFA Series 2026 women’s event, held in Abidjan in April, which highlighted the country’s growing role in hosting international women’s football competitions.

Diallo said the Football for Schools programme was helping to prepare future generations while revealing that other development projects were also in progress and expected to be inaugurated soon.

The investments underline FIFA’s commitment to supporting football associations through infrastructure development and grassroots initiatives, with Côte d’Ivoire seeking to consolidate its position in African football while strengthening its long-term development structures.