FIFA and President Trump have revealed a joint initiative to allocate $75 million towards the reconstruction of football facilities in Gaza that were demolished during the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The announcement was made during the inaugural meeting of Trump’s “Board of Peace,” a coalition comprising close associates of the U.S. president with a primary focus on Gaza’s restoration.
During the event in Washington, Trump disclosed, “I’m also pleased to announce that FIFA will be helping to raise a total of $75 million for projects in Gaza.” He emphasized the soccer-centric nature of the projects, aiming to develop fields and attract top global soccer personalities to the region. Trump hinted at an upcoming detailed plan and expressed his willingness to personally engage in the initiative.
Subsequently, FIFA released a statement elaborating on the initiative, outlining blueprints for a football academy, a new 20,000-seat national stadium, and multiple playing fields. The statement did not explicitly mention the $75 million figure attributed to Trump, instead indicating that funds would be sourced from international leaders and organizations.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was present at the announcement, has cultivated a strong relationship with Trump, having conferred upon him the inaugural FIFA “Peace Prize” during the World Cup draw in December. Infantino, sporting a red baseball cap emblazoned with “USA” and “45-47” in reference to Trump’s presidential terms, praised the collaboration as a significant alliance aimed at channeling investments into football to aid in the recovery of post-conflict regions.
The formation of the “Board of Peace” materialized following diplomatic efforts by the Trump administration, in collaboration with Qatar and Egypt, to broker a ceasefire in October, concluding a prolonged conflict in Gaza. The U.S. administration has articulated its current focus on disarming Hamas, the Palestinian militant faction whose actions instigated the extensive offensive in October 2023.
