FIFA says it will spend tens of millions of dollars to build a new football stadium in Gaza, even as aid groups warn that much of the territory has been destroyed by Israel’s war and people face hunger, disease and a lack of basic services.
The plan was announced at a meeting of US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in Washington. Nine governments pledged a total of $7bn in aid. Five said they were ready to send troops as part of a possible stabilisation force.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said football can help rebuild “hope and trust”.
FIFA has promised $50m for a stadium that would hold 20,000 to 25,000 people. It also pledged $15m for an academy, $2.5m for 50 small pitches and funding for five full-sized fields costing $1m each.
Gaza does not have its own national team. A single Palestinian team, recognised by FIFA since 1998, represents both Gaza and the occupied West Bank. It has never qualified for a World Cup.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed more than 890 athletes and sports officials since October 2023 during Israel’s war on Gaza.
About 430 of them were footballers, including 103 children. Among those killed was Suleiman al-Obaid, known as the “Palestinian Pelé”, who died in 2025 while waiting for humanitarian aid.
Others include Hani al-Masdar, coach of the Palestinian Olympic football team, and Majid Abu Marakhil, Palestine’s first Olympic flag bearer. Athletes from volleyball, basketball and karate have also been killed.
Around 90% of sports facilities in Gaza have been destroyed, including nearly 300 stadiums and gyms, as well as the Palestinian Football Association headquarters, according to Palestinian officials
But there are questions over double standards. FIFA and other sports bodies are treating Israel differently from Russia.
In 2022, after Russia invaded Ukraine, FIFA and the International Olympic Committee quickly banned Russian teams from major competitions, including World Cup qualifiers and the Olympics.
They said Russia had broken the Olympic Truce and that several European teams refused to play against it, making competitions unworkable.
Israel, however, continues to compete in UEFA matches, World Cup qualifiers and the Paris Olympics despite killing over 70,000 Palestinians, a figure they accepted last January.
