FIFA and IDB Group Bring Community Soccer Pitches to Mexico

Known as FIFA Arena, the project combines sports facilities with community-focused activities designed to promote education, social inclusion, skills development and violence prevention in both urban and rural areas.

The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) and FIFA have launched a new initiative in Mexico that will create eight community soccer mini-pitches and deliver social programmes aimed at supporting children, young people and families.

Known as FIFA Arena, the project combines sports facilities with community-focused activities designed to promote education, social inclusion, skills development and violence prevention in both urban and rural areas. The eight mini-pitches are expected to be completed by the end of the year and will remain public assets for local communities.

Soccer Facilities Designed for More Than Sport

The FIFA Arena programme goes beyond building playing fields. The initiative is intended to create safe and inclusive spaces where communities can come together through sport while accessing educational and social opportunities. The mini-pitches will host school sports activities, community programmes and local tournaments, creating spaces where young people can develop teamwork, leadership and life skills.

A key focus of the project will be encouraging greater participation by girls in soccer while promoting equal access to sporting opportunities. IDB Group President Ilan Goldfajn said major sporting events provide a valuable opportunity to invest in communities and create lasting benefits that extend beyond competition.

Wider Programme Targets Social Challenges

The FIFA Arena project forms part of a broader partnership involving FIFA, the FIFA Foundation, the Mexican Football Federation, the Government of Mexico and the IDB Group. Together, the organisations plan to support more than 100 community sites across the country, including schools, community centres, existing sports facilities and centres for older adults.

These programmes will focus on strengthening support networks for older people while also promoting awareness and prevention of violence against women. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said football has a unique ability to unite people, inspire communities and create opportunities for future generations.

Building on a Growing Sports Development Strategy

The initiative expands the IDB Group's Sports for Development programme, which has supported more than 25 projects across 20 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Those programmes have reached more than 100,000 people and have demonstrated how sport can contribute to social development by helping young people stay in school, build skills and strengthen community connections.

The partnership combines FIFA's global football expertise with the IDB Group's development experience across the region. Both organisations say the goal is to ensure that the excitement generated by major sporting events translates into long-term investments that improve lives, strengthen communities and create opportunities for future generations. The project also seeks to leave a lasting social legacy by using sport as a tool for education, inclusion and community development throughout Mexico.