FIFA Opens New Football Arenas in Palestine to Support Youth in the West Bank

FIFA has expanded its global reach by opening two new FIFA Arena mini-pitches in the West Bank, located in Marah Rabah and Qusin. These new facilities are designed to offer Palestinian children safe places to enjoy football despite the ongoing challenges in the region.

Boosting Grassroots Football in Palestine

The new pitches, positioned south of Bethlehem in Marah Rabah and in the northern area of Qusin, represent a joint effort between FIFA, the Palestine Football Association, and financial support from the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. This development is timely as many communities in the West Bank struggle with limited access to education, social services, and organized sports activities.

One pitch is located near the Marah Rabah girls' high school in the Thaher Al Thour neighborhood, while the other lies in northwestern Qusin. These spaces are intended to keep football accessible for the next generation of Palestinian players.

The Unite for Peace: Kids’ Cup Launches New Facilities

To mark the openings, FIFA started the Unite for Peace: Kids’ Cup, a youth football tournament involving 14 local teams and roughly 160 children. The competition includes group stages, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final, turning these arenas into vibrant hubs of activity. Besides matches, community football events engage nearby villages, promoting the spirit of the sport.

This tournament is part of the broader FIFA Unite for Peace campaign, which uses football to teach values like teamwork, respect, and fair play. These pitches are not merely symbolic; they are actively used throughout the year. The official opening ceremony is planned for September 25, featuring a trophy presentation for the young participants.

FIFA President Infantino Highlights Football’s Role Amid Challenges

“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.”

This statement reflects FIFA's commitment to its Football Unites the World mission, focusing on regions where infrastructure projects provide meaningful social impact.

Creating a Long-Term Impact for Football in Palestine

The mini-pitches are part of the wider FIFA Arena Programme, an international project aimed at creating durable, safe football spaces worldwide. Along with the new fields, local communities receive football gear to support ongoing training and regular play beyond the tournament.

This initiative supports the Palestine Football Association's goals to develop young male and female talent sustainably. The launch in Marah Rabah and Qusin follows similar installations recently completed in South and North America. FIFA emphasizes high-quality, weather-resistant surfaces and accessible locations to ensure these arenas endure heavy use.