FIFA President Gianni Infantino Inaugurates New Haslington Mini-Pitch- Part of Pledge to Install 1,000 Mini-pitches Globally by 2031

November 6, 2026, Georgetown - President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, officially inaugurated Guyana’s first FIFA Arena Mini-Pitch at Haslington, East Coast Demerara, on Thursday, November 5, as part of FIFA’s ambitious global initiative to install at least 1,000 mini-pitches worldwide by 2031.

Guyana is among a growing number of countries across FIFA’s six confederations benefiting from the initiative, with two facilities being established locally. The second mini-pitch, located at Retrieve, Linden, has also been completed. The Haslington facility is expected to benefit approximately 2,500 boys and girls, providing safe, accessible spaces for football development, while supporting the delivery of FIFA’s Football for Schools (F4S) programme and other community-based grassroots initiatives.

The inauguration was attended by GFF President Mr. Wayne Forde; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Hon. Charles Ramson Jr.; Minister Hon. Steven Jacobs; GFF Second Vice-President Mr. Rawlston Adams; Third Vice-President Mr. Deon Innis; members of the GFF Council and other key stakeholders.

Addressing the gathering, FIFA President Gianni Infantino underscored football's power to inspire, unite and create opportunities, emphasizing that the FIFA Arena initiative is rooted in FIFA’s commitment to making the game accessible to every child, regardless of their location or circumstances.

“This FIFA Arena is a place where dreams come true and where hope can become reality. This is why I am so happy to be here with you today.”

“Our vision and mission at FIFA are simple: football belongs to everyone, everywhere in the world, in every corner of the world. Football belongs to everyone, including the people of Haslington and the people of Guyana.”

“This is the first of many more opportunities that we want to create. We are building these facilities for children who deserve the opportunity to play, to dream and to believe in what they can achieve. This is why we invest in grassroots football and education.”

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Hon. Charles Ramson Jr., highlighted the long-term social and developmental value of the investment, noting that its true impact would be measured not simply by the infrastructure constructed, but by the opportunities and positive outcomes it creates for future generations.

“The value of this investment cannot be measured simply in dollars and cents on a balance sheet. Its real value lies in the opportunities it creates for young people to participate in sport, discover their abilities and develop their potential over many years. Whether that journey leads a young person to the FIFA World Cup and the opportunity to lift a trophy, or helps them become a productive and responsible member of society, both represent meaningful returns on this investment.”

“The infrastructure is only the beginning; what matters most is the impact it delivers. A pitch is an investment, but its true return will be realised over the next 10, 15 and 20 years. It will be reflected in a young person discovering their talent, a young girl developing confidence, a community finding common ground through sport and, perhaps one day, a young Guyanese representing our country on football’s biggest stage.”

GFF President Wayne Forde, in his remarks, described the facilities as an important step forward in expanding access to football and strengthening the Federation’s grassroots development framework. He emphasised that such investments are particularly significant for smaller footballing nations like Guyana, where access to quality sporting infrastructure can make a considerable difference in nurturing talent and creating pathways to international competition.

“For smaller footballing nations like Guyana, investments of this nature are particularly important. They create opportunities that were once beyond our reach, giving more young people the chance to experience the game, develop their abilities and aspire to compete at the international level.”

“At the heart of this vision is a simple but powerful principle: football must belong to everyone.”

“The FIFA Arena initiative brings that philosophy to life. Importantly, it complements and strengthens the objectives of FIFA’s Football for Schools programme by connecting quality playing facilities with structured football activities in schools and communities.”

“I am also pleased to report that our second FIFA Arena Mini-Pitch, located at Retrieve in Linden, has been completed. These two facilities represent an important beginning, and we hope they will form part of a much wider network of mini-pitches across Guyana.

“We intend to work closely with FIFA, the Government of Guyana, the private sector and other stakeholders to make that ambition a reality.”

“Our vision is for these facilities to become active centres of football development, supporting our Football for Schools programme and community grassroots initiatives. They will provide opportunities for schools, teachers, coaches and our Regional Associations to organise structured activities, introduce more boys and girls to the game, strengthen their skills and identify promising talent from an early age.”

“Our responsibility now is to ensure that these facilities are not simply built, but are consistently and purposefully utilised to deliver meaningful and lasting benefits to our communities.”

The FIFA Arena Project is a global grassroots infrastructure initiative through which FIFA aims to establish at least 1,000 mini-pitches worldwide by 2031. Designed to expand access to football, particularly for children, underserved communities and schools, the initiative provides safe, all-weather playing environments that encourage participation, physical activity, learning and social development. The facilities also support FIFA’s broader Football for Schools programme, which uses football as an educational tool to promote life skills and positive values.

Through its collaboration with FIFA, GFF has successfully completed the construction of two FIFA Arena Mini-Pitches, at Haslington and Retrieve, marking a significant investment in the country’s grassroots football infrastructure.

The Federation will now focus on maximising the use of these facilities through partnerships with schools, communities, Regional Associations and other stakeholders, ensuring that they become sustainable hubs for participation, learning and talent development. Beyond providing spaces to play, the mini-pitches represent an investment in Guyana’s young people and the future of the game, creating more opportunities for every child to discover their potential and take their first steps towards achieving their football dreams.