FIFA and the Swiss government are funding new community soccer fields in the West Bank, investing 120,000 Swiss francs to boost football access and development for Palestinian children, with more fields planned across the region.
FIFA and the Swiss government announced a collaboration on Thursday to fund the construction of community soccer fields for Palestinians in the West Bank, according to a report from the Associated Press (AP).
The Swiss government, through its foreign affairs ministry, is donating 120,000 Swiss francs ($149,000) to the project.
Switzerland-based FIFA stated the funds were for “enabling the construction of the facilities and supporting a broader, long-term commitment to restoring access to football across the region.”
The facilities, known as “FIFA Arena” mini-pitches, are “designed to be safe, durable spaces for communities that lack access to sport,” FIFA said.
The first two mini-pitches will include a dedicated training program focused on children to create “safe spaces for play that foster inclusion and personal development.”
These facilities are part of the global FIFA Arena project, which has seen 30 mini-fields opened across 15 countries since March. Eight more installations are planned across Israel and the Palestinian territories.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed gratitude, saying: “FIFA expresses its deep gratitude to the Swiss government for this important contribution and looks forward to continuing this shared effort to restore, rebuild and bring hope — one pitch at a time.”
Infantino had previously attended a global summit on the future of Gaza last month, where he committed FIFA to “help rebuild all football facilities in Gaza and Palestine. We will bring football back in every corner of the country.”