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

FIFA has increased its global infrastructure by opening two new mini football pitches, called FIFA Arena, in the West Bank. These pitches, located in Marah Rabah and Qusin, aim to offer Palestinian children a safe place to play football amid ongoing challenges in the region.

Creating Safe Spaces for Football in the West Bank

The new facilities lie in Marah Rabah, south of Bethlehem, and Qusin, in the northern West Bank. This initiative is a partnership between FIFA and the Palestine Football Association, supported financially by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Many communities in the West Bank struggle to access education, social services, and organized sports, so these pitches provide an important outlet for youth.

One pitch is near the girls’ high school in Thaher Al Thour, Marah Rabah, while the other sits in north-west Qusin. Both locations were chosen carefully to maximize community benefit.

Unite for Peace: Kids’ Cup Launches New Era

To mark the opening, FIFA organized the Unite for Peace: Kids’ Cup, a youth football tournament already underway on these pitches. Fourteen local teams, made up of about 160 children, are competing in group stages, followed by knockout rounds including quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final. Alongside matches, community football activities engage residents from nearby villages and towns.

This tournament is part of the larger FIFA Unite for Peace campaign, which uses football to promote values like teamwork, respect, and fair play. The pitches are not just symbolic; they are active centers of sport and community engagement. The official opening ceremony and trophy presentation are scheduled for September 25.

FIFA President Highlights Football’s Role in Hard 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’s words underline FIFA’s focus on using football to unite communities and provide hope even amid political or environmental difficulties.

Building a Long-Term Foundation for Palestinian Football

These mini-pitches form part of the global FIFA Arena Programme, which aims to build durable, safe football spaces worldwide. Along with the pitches, the local communities receive football equipment to support training and ongoing play after tournaments end.

This effort supports the Palestine Football Association’s goals to develop young male and female talent sustainably. The new pitches join others recently launched across South and North America, all designed with weather-resistant surfaces and accessible locations to ensure lasting use.