FIFA Chief Infantino Attends Board of Peace Summit — What's His Business There?
There was an unusual presence at the inaugural Board of Peace (BoP) summit held in Washington DC on Thursday, 19 February 2026. Besides being attended by dozens of heads of state, the council established by US President Donald Trump also welcomed FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The FIFA chief's attendance at the Board of Peace forum served to announce a "true partnership" between the world football governing body and the Board of Peace, with plans for large-scale football infrastructure projects in the Gaza Strip aimed at rebuilding communities through sport.
Describing football as a unifying global force, Infantino told the inaugural council meeting in Washington, DC: "First point: football, or soccer as it's called here, is the universal language of the world. This language is spoken by 6 billion people, 6 billion fans who share the same feelings."
"It's about hope, about joy, about happiness. It's about togetherness and about uniting the world. We will unite the world here this summer during the World Cup," he added.
Infantino emphasised that peace was essential to achieving that unity, announcing a "true partnership between the Board of Peace and FIFA."
"I am very proud and very happy to announce this," he said, adding that after hearing presentations at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, "we need to help. We need to do something."
Infantino stated that FIFA's contribution would not focus solely on physical infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. "We also have to rebuild and build people, emotions, hope, and trust. And this is the meaning of football, my sport," he said.
During the meeting, Infantino also screened a promotional video outlining the scope of the initiative.
Through the partnership, a complete football ecosystem will be built in Gaza, as detailed in the video. The programme encompasses the construction of football pitches, FIFA Arenas, academies, and a national stadium.
The plans include building 50 mini FIFA Arenas at an estimated cost of US$50,000 (Rp845.5 million) per unit, representing a total investment of approximately US$2.5 million (Rp42.2 billion).
The FIFA chief's attendance at the Board of Peace forum served to announce a "true partnership" between the world football governing body and the Board of Peace, with plans for large-scale football infrastructure projects in the Gaza Strip aimed at rebuilding communities through sport.
Describing football as a unifying global force, Infantino told the inaugural council meeting in Washington, DC: "First point: football, or soccer as it's called here, is the universal language of the world. This language is spoken by 6 billion people, 6 billion fans who share the same feelings."
"It's about hope, about joy, about happiness. It's about togetherness and about uniting the world. We will unite the world here this summer during the World Cup," he added.
Infantino emphasised that peace was essential to achieving that unity, announcing a "true partnership between the Board of Peace and FIFA."
"I am very proud and very happy to announce this," he said, adding that after hearing presentations at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, "we need to help. We need to do something."
Infantino stated that FIFA's contribution would not focus solely on physical infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. "We also have to rebuild and build people, emotions, hope, and trust. And this is the meaning of football, my sport," he said.
During the meeting, Infantino also screened a promotional video outlining the scope of the initiative.
Through the partnership, a complete football ecosystem will be built in Gaza, as detailed in the video. The programme encompasses the construction of football pitches, FIFA Arenas, academies, and a national stadium.
The plans include building 50 mini FIFA Arenas at an estimated cost of US$50,000 (Rp845.5 million) per unit, representing a total investment of approximately US$2.5 million (Rp42.2 billion).