FIFA Opens New Football Arenas in West Bank to Support Palestinian Youth

FIFA Unveils Mini-Pitches in Palestine’s West Bank

FIFA has expanded its global infrastructure by inaugurating two new FIFA Arena mini-pitches in the West Bank. These new football facilities, placed in Marah Rabah and Qusin, aim to offer Palestinian children a safe place to play amidst ongoing regional difficulties.

Boosting Grassroots Football Through FIFA Arena Initiative

This project is a joint effort between FIFA and the Palestine Football Association, backed financially by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. The pitches are located strategically: one near the Marah Rabah girls’ high school in Thaher Al Thour, south of Bethlehem, and the other in northwest Qusin.

Communities in the West Bank often face obstacles accessing education, social services, and organized sports. These new arenas provide dedicated spaces where young Palestinians can engage with football, helping keep the sport alive and accessible despite challenges.

Unite for Peace Kids’ Cup Launches New Facilities

To celebrate the openings, FIFA has launched the Unite for Peace: Kids’ Cup, a youth tournament featuring 14 local teams and around 160 children. The event includes group stages, knockout rounds, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final match. Alongside competition, it offers community football activities that invite residents from nearby villages and towns to join in.

This tournament is part of the larger FIFA Unite for Peace campaign, which uses football to promote teamwork, respect, and fair play. These pitches are not just symbolic; they are actively used year-round, starting with this inaugural tournament. An official ceremony and trophy presentation are set for September 25.

FIFA President Highlights Football’s Role in Challenging Times

“The value of these FIFA Arena facilities will be measured by what happens on the pitches day in, day out,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “For children living in communities where life is often disrupted by restrictions and uncertainty, having a place where they can play football, meet their friends and take part in organised sport matters more than ever. Particularly as we mark the International Day of Peace, we hope these FIFA Arenas will serve their communities for many years to come.”

Infantino emphasized that the success of these projects lies in their daily use by youth rather than just their construction. This reflects FIFA's ongoing commitment to its Football Unites the World mission.

Building a Long-Term Impact for Palestinian Football

The new mini-pitches are part of the broader FIFA Arena Programme, which creates durable and safe football environments worldwide. Along with the pitches, the local communities receive football equipment to support training and organized play after the initial tournaments end.

This initiative supports the Palestine Football Association’s long-term goals by providing a sustainable platform for nurturing both male and female young players throughout the region.

The launches in Marah Rabah and Qusin follow similar FIFA Arena projects recently completed in South and North America. Using weather-resistant surfaces and accessible locations ensures these pitches will handle heavy usage and remain valuable community resources.