FIFA to lead $75 million fund for Palestinian football reconstruction

(Patria) - FIFA will lead a $75 million fund for the reconstruction of football facilities in Gaza that were destroyed in the war between Israel and Hamas, President Donald Trump and the sport's governing body announced on Thursday, AFP reported.
Trump announced this in Washington at the first meeting of his "Peace Committee," an amorphous institution that brings together twenty-four close allies of the US president and is initially focused on the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

"I am also pleased to announce that FIFA will help raise a total of $75 million for projects in Gaza," Trump said. "And I think they are related to football, where you build fields and bring the biggest stars in the world to go there - people who are bigger stars than you and me, Gianni," he added, referring to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was present at the event. "So that's really something. We will explain the announcement in detail soon, and if I can, I will come there with you."

Later on Thursday, FIFA issued a statement providing more details, including plans to build a football academy, a new national stadium with a capacity of 20,000, and dozens of pitches.

FIFA's statement did not mention Trump's $75 million figure, stating instead that funds would be raised "from international leaders and institutions".
Infantino has cultivated close ties with Trump, awarding him the inaugural FIFA "Peace Award" at the World Cup draw in December.

At Thursday's meeting, the FIFA president wore a red baseball cap with the inscriptions "USA" and "45-47", the latter referring to Trump's two terms in the White House.

In its statement, FIFA, Infantino welcomed "a significant partnership agreement that will foster investment in football to aid the recovery process in post-conflict areas".

The "Peace Committee" met after the Trump administration, in partnership with Qatar and Egypt, negotiated a ceasefire in October to halt a two-year devastating war in Gaza.

The United States says it is now focused on disarming Hamas - the Palestinian militant group whose unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, triggered a massive offensive.