ISLAMABAD: FIFA President Gianni Infantino has pledged to rebuild all football facilities in Gaza following last weekend’s ceasefire, saying the sport must “bring hope” to the war-torn territory on Monday.

Speaking at the Summit for Peace in Egypt, co-chaired by US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Infantino said that football’s role is to support, to unite and give hope in the region.

He added that FIFA will help rebuild all football facilities in Palestine, provide equipment, construct new pitches, bring in instructors, and assist in organizing local competitions.

FIFA will launch a dedicated fund to rebuild football infrastructure in Palestine, adding that the organization had already contributed through its FIFA Arena programme and the construction of mini-pitches.

“We will help to bring football back together with the Palestinian Football Association in every corner of the country”, he added.

Infantino stated that FIFA has contributed with mini-pitches, with the FIFA Arena programme, adding: “We want the whole world to contribute, because football brings hope to children, it’s very, very important.”

FIFA has faced repeated calls to act over the war in Gaza, with Palestinian officials pressing for Israel to be suspended from international football.

The issue has been under review by FIFA for months, but no decision has been taken. Infantino has consistently said such matters require consensus with the confederations and must be handled with caution.

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FIFA vows to bring football back to Palestine after peace summit