FIFA Opens Two New Mini Football Arenas in West Bank to Support Palestinian Youth
FIFA has launched two new mini football pitches, known as 'FIFA Arenas', in the West Bank towns of Marah Rabah and Qusin. These spaces are designed to offer Palestinian children a safe place to enjoy football amid ongoing challenges in the region.
New Spaces for Football in Marah Rabah and Qusin
The two mini-pitches come as part of a global effort by FIFA to promote grassroots football. Marah Rabah is situated south of Bethlehem, while Qusin lies in the northern West Bank. This project was developed alongside the Palestine Football Association and received key funding from the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
Both locations were carefully chosen. One pitch is located near the girls’ high school in the Thaher Al Thour area of Marah Rabah, and the other is in the northwest area of Qusin. In a region where access to sports and social services can be limited, these arenas create much-needed community hubs for youth activity.
Unite for Peace Kids’ Cup Celebrates the Launch
To mark the opening of these facilities, FIFA has started the Unite for Peace: Kids’ Cup, a youth tournament featuring 14 local teams and about 160 young players. The competition includes group stages, knockout rounds, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final match. Alongside competitive play, community football events are taking place to engage residents from nearby villages and towns.
This tournament is a practical start for the FIFA Arenas, showing how they will be used throughout the year, not just as ceremonial sites. An official opening ceremony and trophy presentation are scheduled for September 25.
FIFA President 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.”
Infantino’s comments underscore FIFA’s mission to support regions where football infrastructure can deliver strong social benefits. He also linked the initiative to the International Day of Peace, hoping the arenas will serve their communities for many years.
Building a Sustainable Football Legacy in Palestine
The new pitches are part of the broader FIFA Arena Programme, which focuses on creating durable, weather-resistant football spaces worldwide. Along with the pitches, the local communities receive football equipment to keep training and games ongoing long after initial events.
This investment aims to back the Palestine Football Association’s goals to nurture young talent of both genders. Similar FIFA Arena launches have recently taken place in South and North America, signaling a wider commitment to building lasting football infrastructures globally.
- Locations: Marah Rabah (south of Bethlehem), Qusin (northwest West Bank)
- Funding: Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
- Tournament: Unite for Peace: Kids’ Cup with 14 teams and ~160 players
- Opening Ceremony: September 25
- Purpose: Safe, accessible football areas to support youth and community development
