Gianni Infantino, president of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), announced a new partnership with the Board of Peace on Thursday (19 February), committing to build football pitches and arenas in Gaza as part of broader efforts to rebuild the region.
At the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington, Infantino said that recovery in Gaza must go beyond traditional infrastructure.
“We don’t have to just rebuild houses, our schools, our hospitals, our roads — we also have to rebuild and build people, emotion, hope and trust. And this is what football, my sport, is about,” he told attendees.
In a video presentation following his comments, organisers said FIFA is pledging $2.5 million to help establish a “complete football ecosystem designed to support communities and future generations.”
The construction of sports infrastructure in Gaza - including football pitches, arenas and youth programmes - is intended to provide not only recreation but also promote social cohesion and restore a sense of normality for young people in the territory.
In December, Infantino presented Trump with the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize at the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw in Washington, an award created by the organisation to recognise “exceptional actions for peace and unity.”
Through initiatives like the Football for Hope Movement and the FIFA Foundation, the organisation has previously supported reconstruction and social development projects using the sport as a vehicle for community building and youth engagement.
The FIFA Foundation has provided humanitarian aid in crises such as natural disasters and has committed millions in past years to rebuild damaged football infrastructure, particularly in regions affected by conflict or disaster.
The planned project in Gaza fits within broader discussions at the Board of Peace about reconstruction and stabilisation following years of conflict that devastated the territory.
Member countries of the board have pledged billions of dollars towards these efforts, with initiatives ranging from security force training and deployment to economic redevelopment and the restoration of public services.
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Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Iran and the U.S. exchanged threats on Tuesday, as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Tehran to expect the “most intense day" of attacks so far. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said “anyone who entertains the illusion of destroying Iran knows nothing of history."
The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of global concern as tensions rise following the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Tehran has threatened to block the strategic waterway, raising fears of disruption to global oil shipments and energy markets.
Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientific data, national hydrometeorological services in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan say, adding there is no threat to the region.
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has addressed the U.N. Security Council, saying the world must consider how effective its engagement with the Taliban-run country is as millions face hunger.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
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