Algeria has become the first African country to inaugurate a FIFA Arena mini-pitch, as part of FIFA’s global initiative to boost grassroots football and support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
The newly unveiled facility is located at Collège Malek Haddad in eastern Algiers and is designed to provide more playing opportunities for children in the area. A second mini-pitch is also set to be opened soon at Ibn Joubair School in the western part of the city.
Both pitches are expected to benefit around 1,500 children, including students and young players from grassroots and community football clubs in the surrounding neighborhoods.
This initiative aligns with FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s commitment to install 1,000 FIFA Arena mini-pitches around the world, aimed at creating safer and more inclusive spaces for young people to play football, while promoting education, health, and community development.
Local officials, educators, and representatives from the Algerian Football Federation attended the opening ceremony, welcoming the project as a milestone for youth development and community engagement through sport.
