The bomb hit region decimated in the conflict between Israel and Hamas is set to be regenerated with a national stadium, 55 football pitches and FIFA Academy
FIFA plans to bring peace to the Middle East with a ‘Gaza United’ football plan. It comes as the delicate ceasefire between Hamas and Israel continues to hold, albeit with some teething issues.
The world football’s governing body and US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace have announced a ‘strategic partnership to drive recovery’ in the bomb-blasted region. It involves building 50 mini-pitches, five full-sized playing surfaces, a FIFA Academy and 20,000-seat national stadium in Gaza.
The aim is designed to ‘generate jobs, strengthen social cohesion and support long-term economic revitalisation’. It could one day result in a Palestinian team playing arch enemies Israel in the World Cup.
If it works FIFA may copy it in a bid to end conflict in other war zones. Federation president Gianni Infantino has signed an agreement with Gaza chiefs — including its Board of Peace member Yakir Gabay — to ‘build a complete football ecosystem delivering world-class infrastructure, structured community programmes and sustainable economic opportunity.
Infantino said: “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. FIFA wants as many people as possible around the world to participate in our game and benefit from the opportunities it creates.
“Football brings people together and contributes to a more prosperous, educated, equal and peaceful world. Together with the support of the Board of Peace, FIFA will drive this partnership which is built to deliver impact at every stage.”
The infrastructure includes building 50 FIFA Arena mini-pitches near schools and residential areas. Five full-size pitches will be created across multiple districts.
Gaza will have its own state-of-the-art FIFA Academy and a national stadium. The roll-out will include the FIFA Football for Schools programme, the distribution of equipment and structured grassroots activities.
It includes setting up a professional football league with ‘organised local clubs’ and an international team. FIFA said the national stadium — which will be built within three years — will host sporting and cultural events, reinforce national identity, generate commercial revenue and serve as a ‘long-term anchor for community cohesion’.
It comes after Trump’s Board of Peace officially convened for the first time on Thursday (February 19), missing many of his European allies. After the President floated the idea of a Board of Peace in Davos last month, many European nations did not sign up amid fears that Mad Vlad Putin would be invited despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.
And it appeared that Trump himself was feeling rather ‘Bored of Peace’ when his eyes appeared to droop during the course of the press conference. The gaffe was picked up by eagle-eyed viewers, with one social media user joking: “More than two hours into this ‘Board of Peace’ meeting, we are now enduring random world leader open mic time and Trump’s eyes are closed.”
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