Infantino arrives in Istanbul for FIFA Arena Project opening

FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrived in Istanbul for the official opening ceremony of the FIFA Arena Project, which will take place today.

According to a statement from the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), Infantino, who arrived together with FIFA Member Associations Director Ilkhan Mammadov, was welcomed at Istanbul Airport by TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.

Infantino expressed his pleasure at returning to Turkiye and stated that they attach great importance to the FIFA Arena Project, which aims to make it easier for children to access football fields.

As part of the FIFA Arena Project, 11 pitches have been completed in Turkiye, so far, especially in regions affected by the earthquake.

The opening of the 9th pitch, completed at the Spor Toto Organization Secondary School in Riva, will take place at 11:00 with the participation of Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This pitch is also notable for being the first FIFA Arena field equipped with solar panels and changing rooms.

FIFA launched this project in 2025 and aims to deliver at least 1,000 pitches in 100 countries worldwide by 2031.

In Turkiye, it is planned to complete 60 pitches in the first phase to facilitate young people’s access to sports.