FIFA and the Board of Peace signed a partnership agreement on Thursday to attract investment from global leaders and institutions for sustainable development in conflict-affected regions through soccer.
The Board of Peace, established under US President Donald Trump, held its first meeting focused on Gaza's reconstruction fund, aimed at rebuilding the territory once Hamas disarms.
The disarmament of Hamas terrorists and accompanying withdrawal of Israeli troops, the size of the reconstruction fund, and the flow of humanitarian aid to the war-torn population are expected to pose significant challenges to the board's effectiveness in the coming months.
The FIFA collaboration plan includes building 50 mini-pitches near schools and residential areas in Gaza, five full-size pitches across multiple districts, a state-of-the-art FIFA academy, and a new 20,000-seat national stadium, FIFA said.
Trump said FIFA will raise $75 million for soccer-related projects in Gaza.
"Today, FIFA and the Board of Peace have signed a landmark partnership agreement that will foster investment into football for the purpose of helping the recovery process in post-conflict areas," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.
"Together with the support of the Board of Peace, FIFA will drive this partnership, which is built to deliver impact at every stage."
The program will also emphasize job creation, youth participation, organized leagues for boys and girls, community engagement, and the stimulation of local commercial activities, FIFA said.
Trump insists Hamas will disarm because they are afraid to die
Regarding the future of Gaza, Trump said he believed "Hamas will be getting rid of their weapons."
"They said 'they're not afraid to die,' but they are," he added. "The war in Gaza is over. It’s over," he said, admitting that "there are little flames."
Trump also said that it seems to him that Hamas will disarm.
"Hamas has been, I think they’re going to give up their weapons, which is what they promised," he said. "If they don’t, it’ll be, you know, they’ll be harshly met, very harshly met. They don’t want that."