Sports
FIFA to head $75m fund for rebuilding Palestinian football facilities
World football’s governing body, FIFA, will spearhead a $75 million fund aimed at rebuilding football facilities in Gaza destroyed during the war between Israel and Hamas.
The announcement was made on Thursday in Washington by United States President, Donald Trump, during the first meeting of his newly formed “Board of Peace.”
According to Trump and FIFA, the fund will focus on restoring stadiums, training grounds and other football infrastructure damaged in the conflict. The initiative is part of broader efforts to support reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.
Trump unveiled the “Board of Peace” as what he described as a platform bringing together about two dozen of his close allies. The body, which is beginning its work with a focus on rebuilding Gaza, is expected to coordinate efforts and partnerships tied to the reconstruction plans.
“I’m also pleased to announce that FIFA will be helping to raise a total of $75 million for projects in Gaza,” said Trump.
“And I think they’re soccer related, where you’re doing fields and you’re getting the greatest stars in the world to go there — people that are bigger stars than you and I, Gianni,” he added, referring to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who was present at the event.
“So it’s really something. We’ll soon be detailing the announcement, and if I can do I’ll get over there with you,” Trump said.
Later Thursday, FIFA issued a statement providing more details, including plans to construct a football academy, a new 20,000-seat national stadium and dozens of pitches.
The FIFA communique did not mention Trump’s $75 million figure, and said funds would be raised “from international leaders and institutions.”
Infantino has fostered close ties with Trump, awarding him an inaugural FIFA “Peace Prize” at the World Cup draw in December.
At Thursday’s meeting, the FIFA president donned a red baseball cap emblazoned with “USA” and “45-47,” the latter a reference to Trump’s two terms in the White House.
In FIFA’s statement, Infantino hailed “a landmark partnership agreement that will foster investment into football for the purpose of helping the recovery process in post conflict areas.”
The “Board of Peace” came together after the Trump administration, teaming up with Qatar and Egypt, negotiated a ceasefire in October to halt two years of devastating war in Gaza.
The United States says it is now focused on disarming Hamas — the Palestinian militant group whose unprecedented October 7, 2023, attack on Israel triggered the massive offensive.
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