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FIFA Commits $50 Million to Build Gaza Stadium Amid Broad International Aid

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FIFA Announces Multi‑Project Funding for Gaza Football Infrastructure On 19 February 2026 FIFA pledged $50 million to construct a 20,000‑25,000‑seat national stadium in Gaza, alongside a $15 million youth academy, $2.5 million for 50 mini‑pitches, and five $1 million full‑size fields, creating a comprehensive football ecosystem in the war‑torn enclave [1]. The plan aims to revive local sport, provide training facilities, and generate community gathering spaces. FIFA’s financial package is earmarked for immediate construction and long‑term maintenance.

Board of Peace Meeting Secures Massive Reconstruction and Security Pledges The inaugural Board of Peace gathering in Washington, held concurrently with FIFA’s announcement, saw nine governments commit a combined $7 billion for Gaza relief and five additional nations promise troops for an international stabilization force [1]. These commitments address broader humanitarian needs beyond sport, targeting water, sewage, electricity, and food‑production systems. The diplomatic effort underscores a coordinated international response to Gaza’s post‑war reconstruction.

Infantino Positions Football as Reconciliation Tool in Gaza FIFA president Gianni Infantino emphasized that rebuilding “people, emotion, hope and trust” is as crucial as physical infrastructure, presenting a video that frames a simple football as “a reason to believe again” [1]. He outlined plans for youth, amateur, and regional leagues to sustain the sport’s growth after the stadium’s completion. Infantino’s messaging links the new facilities to long‑term social cohesion and peacebuilding.

Trump Praises Infantino and References FIFA Peace Prize Former President Donald Trump repeatedly lauded Infantino’s work, calling his role “the best” and highlighting recent White House visits by the FIFA chief [1]. Trump also cited the FIFA peace prize awarded to him last year for lobbying a Nobel Peace Prize, using the stadium announcement to reinforce his diplomatic narrative. His comments add a political dimension to the football project’s visibility.

Gaza’s Football Landscape Remains Severely Damaged Despite the new stadium plans, Gaza currently lacks a separate national team; a unified Palestinian squad representing both Gaza and the West Bank remains the only FIFA‑recognized side, never having qualified for a World Cup [1]. The enclave’s basic infrastructure—water, sewage, roads, electricity, and food production—remains in ruins after two years of conflict, posing significant challenges for any sports development effort. The stadium project therefore represents both a symbolic and practical step amid extensive reconstruction needs.

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Timeline

Nov 2024 – Donald Trump wins a second, non‑consecutive U.S. presidential term, prompting President Gianni Infantino to publicly congratulate him and attend events at Mar‑a‑Lago, which later deepens the Trump‑Infantino partnership that shapes World Cup planning [12].

July 2025 – At the Club World Cup final in New Jersey, Trump and Infantino agree to move the 2026 World Cup draw from Las Vegas to Washington, D.C., cementing a political alliance that will drive the draw’s venue choice [12].

Aug 2025 – Infantino presents a gold replica of the World Cup trophy to Trump in the Oval Office, breaking FIFA tradition and signaling close personal ties between the federation and the U.S. president [12].

Oct 6‑7, 2025 – FIFA announces the 2026 World Cup draw will take place on Dec 5 at the Kennedy Center, opens ticket sales for matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico, and flags security and immigration concerns linked to Trump’s policies [12].

Nov 5, 2025 – FIFA creates a new annual Peace Prize to honor “exceptional actions for peace,” announcing the award ahead of the World Cup draw and setting the stage for its controversial presentation to a political figure [6][8][14][15].

Dec 4, 2025 – The U.S. military conducts two strikes on a suspected drug‑trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing nine crew members and sparking debate over the administration’s use of lethal force abroad [5].

Dec 5, 2025 – During the World Cup draw ceremony at the Kennedy Center, Infantino presents Trump with FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize, a gold globe trophy and medal; Trump thanks his family and host‑nation leaders, calls the award “one of the greatest honors,” and claims his administration “saved millions and millions of lives” through ceasefire deals from Gaza to Ukraine [3][4][6][7][8][11][14][15].

Dec 5, 2025 – The same ceremony sees Trump draw the United States into its tournament group, deliver a speech praising his peace‑brokerage role, and feature performances by the Village People and Andrea Bocelli, underscoring the politicised tone of the draw [4][7][8].

Dec 5, 2025 – The White House releases a 33‑page national‑security strategy that pivots U.S. focus away from the Middle East, expands military presence in the Western Hemisphere, and adopts a confrontational stance toward Europe, reflecting the broader foreign‑policy context of Trump’s actions at the draw [5].

Dec 5, 2025 – U.S. and Ukrainian delegations hold “constructive discussions” and agree to reconvene in Miami to advance a peace framework, linking the World Cup event to ongoing diplomatic efforts [5].

Dec 9, 2025 – Human‑rights group FairSquare files an eight‑page ethics complaint with FIFA’s Ethics Committee, alleging Infantino breached neutrality by awarding the Peace Prize to Trump and publicly supporting his Nobel Peace Prize bid, exposing Infantino to a possible two‑year ban [10][13].

Dec 10, 2025 – FIFA’s ethics committee receives a formal request to investigate Infantino for four alleged breaches of the organization’s neutrality rules related to the Trump Peace Prize, though FIFA has not yet commented publicly [2].

Jan 13, 2026 – Twenty‑three UK MPs sign an early‑day motion urging FIFA to expel the United States from the World Cup and other competitions until it complies with international law, citing the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Trump’s hinted operations in Greenland, Mexico and other host nations as violations of the rules‑based order [1].

Feb 19, 2026 – At the inaugural FIFA Board of Peace meeting in Washington, FIFA pledges $50 million to build a 20,000‑seat stadium and related facilities in Gaza, while nine governments commit a combined $7 billion for relief and troops for a stabilization force; Trump praises Infantino and references the previous year’s Peace Prize [9].

June 11 – July 19, 2026 – The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled across the United States, Canada and Mexico with 48 teams, proceeding amid ongoing debates over FIFA’s political neutrality, security measures, and potential ICE raids at venues as warned by the White House World Cup Taskforce [2][1][5].

Future 2026 – FIFA and U.S. authorities continue planning for possible ICE raids at World Cup venues, and Trump signals potential relocation of matches from cities he deems unsafe, raising logistical and legal challenges for tournament organizers [1][12].

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