FIFA opens two new football pitches in the West Bank

FIFA has opened two new mini-football pitches in the West Bank to provide safe recreational spaces for children and local communities. The facilities are located in Marah Rabah, south of Bethlehem, and in Qusin in the northern West Bank.

Developed in collaboration with the Palestinian Football Association and supported financially by the Swiss government, the project aims to offer accessible areas for sport amidst ongoing regional restrictions. To mark the opening, the fields are hosting the ‘Unite for Peace: Kids’ Cup,’ a five-day tournament featuring 14 local teams and approximately 150 to 160 children.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that these facilities are particularly vital for children living in communities where daily life is often disrupted by uncertainty and restrictions. The official inauguration ceremony is scheduled for September 25. This initiative is part of the broader FIFA Arena project, which aims to establish at least 1,000 mini-fields in 100 countries by 2030.