FIFA has expanded its global development agenda through two new partnerships designed to accelerate football infrastructure growth in developing nations and conflict-affected regions. The agreements, signed with the Saudi Fund for Development and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, reinforce the governing body’s effort to use sport as a vehicle for social stability, youth development and community rebuilding.
The headline announcement is a Memorandum of Understanding between FIFA and the Saudi Fund for Development that will unlock up to USD 1 billion in concessional loans for new stadium construction and the rehabilitation of existing facilities. The programme will prioritize developing nations and their respective FIFA Member Associations, offering long-term, low-cost financing to upgrade stadiums, training centres and critical surrounding infrastructure.
The initiative aims to strengthen national football ecosystems by giving emerging markets the capacity to host sanctioned competitions and expand grassroots participation. For FIFA, the agreement adds serious financial muscle to its infrastructure portfolio under FIFA Forward. For Saudi Arabia, the partnership aligns with its broader strategy to support global development while deepening its influence in world sport.
Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, CEO of the SFD, said, “Sport is more than competition—it’s a catalyst for development and inclusion. Through concessional financing, we are helping countries build the infrastructure they need to unlock potential, empower young people, and strengthen communities for generations to come.”
Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, added, “FIFA’s role is to develop football worldwide, and many of our FIFA Member Associations need additional support for the infrastructure necessary to host competitions. Through this memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Fund for Development, up to USD 1 billion will be made available via concessional loans to finance the construction and enhancement of FIFA-certified stadiums. This agreement is a crucial step in ensuring our FIFA Member Associations have the facilities to make football truly global.”
The second partnership focuses on rebuilding football access for children in the Middle East. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation has committed CHF 120,000 to support the construction of new youth facilities, beginning with two mini-pitches in Palestine. The long-term goal is to create a network of eight additional pitches across Palestine and Israel, restoring safe play spaces in areas affected by conflict.
Mr Infantino said, “Football’s role has to be to support, to unite and to give hope in the region. We will help rebuild all football facilities in Gaza and Palestine. We will bring football back to every corner of the country.
“The first two pitches in Palestine, which we will build with the support of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, mark a historic moment in this journey. They represent not only infrastructure, but also a message of solidarity and a belief in football’s ability to bring communities together, even in the most challenging contexts. FIFA expresses its deep gratitude to the Swiss government for this important contribution and looks forward to continuing this shared effort to restore, rebuild and bring hope – one pitch at a time.”
The partnerships draw on complementary strengths. The Saudi Fund for Development’s wide footprint in international cooperation and long-term financing matches FIFA’s infrastructure ambitions in emerging markets. Switzerland’s humanitarian expertise and its longstanding relationship with FIFA provide a credible platform for youth-focused development in the Middle East.
Together, the agreements strengthen FIFA’s capacity to deliver infrastructure support at scale. They also add momentum to a growing ecosystem of global football development initiatives, from UEFA Foundation projects in refugee communities to CAF investments in youth training centres.
The first assessments for both programmes will begin in 2026, paving the way for construction and rehabilitation across some of football’s most underserved geographies.
