In a landmark achievement for football in Niger, the global governing body FIFA has officially launched two FIFA Arena mini-pitches as part of its innovative FIFA Arenas project. This significant event took place over the weekend and marks a pivotal moment in the West African nation’s sporting history.
The newly inaugurated pitches, located at CES 22 Talladje and CES 9 Harobanda primary schools in the capital, Niamey, position Niger as one of the 11 Member Associations to receive support under the FIFA Forward programme. These state-of-the-art, sustainable facilities are set to provide approximately 10,000 young people in the surrounding communities with a safe and inspiring environment to develop their football skills.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino celebrated the project, stating, “Congratulations to the Nigerien Football Federation (FENIFOOT). You are part of our Starting 11—the first 11 countries to officially open their own FIFA Arena mini-pitches. You are contributing to a project capable of changing the lives of millions of children.”
Infantino’s sentiments were echoed by FENIFOOT President Issaka Adamou, who highlighted the significance of this initiative for grassroots football development in Niger. “When football becomes an educational tool, it’s a whole country preparing its youth’s future,” Adamou remarked. “Niger is committed to inclusive, dynamic, and civic-minded schooling through the power of sport.”
Elkhan Mammadov, FIFA’s Chief Member Association Officer, also expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I’m delighted to see Nigerien youth inaugurate these FIFA Arena mini-pitches today. These brand-new spaces offer Niamey’s children a safe and inspiring environment to play and grow through football.”
The FIFA Arena project is part of a global initiative aimed at building mini-pitches worldwide, following a commitment made by President Infantino during the Sustainable Sport Summit in Paris in July 2024. This initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by increasing play opportunities for children, especially in disadvantaged urban and rural areas.
Notably, Niger is the third African nation to benefit from this initiative, following Algeria and Liberia. The project aims to establish at least 1,000 mini-pitches globally by 2031, with nations such as Georgia, Thailand, and Paraguay having already inaugurated similar facilities.
The FIFA Arena project is a component of the larger FIFA Forward scheme, launched in 2016, designed to redistribute FIFA’s revenues fairly among its 211 member associations. Expected to invest a record USD 5 billion in football by the end of 2026, the FIFA Forward programme is heralded as the world’s largest sports development initiative.
Additionally, the construction of FENIFOOT’s new headquarters, also funded by the FIFA Forward programme, is progressing smoothly. The six-storey facility aims to provide a professional environment for football development across the country, with a total cost nearing USD 4.2 million. This project will take approximately 12 months to complete.
Gelson Fernandes, Deputy FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer and Regional Director for Africa, emphasised, “The FIFA Forward programme is tangibly transforming football in all FIFA member countries. The new headquarters and mini-pitches in Niamey illustrate FIFA’s commitment to making football truly global, inclusive, and sustainable.”
As Niger embarks on this new chapter in football development, the community eagerly anticipates the positive impact of these initiatives on youth engagement and sporting excellence.
