NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – Liberia’s football development landscape is receiving a boost through a series of infrastructure and grassroots initiatives supported by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), with thousands of children expected to benefit from improved access to playing facilities and organized competitions.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
The support includes the construction of two mini-football pitches at schools in Paynesville, Greater Monrovia, under FIFA’s Arena project. The facilities, installed in September 2025 through collaboration with the Liberia Football Association (LFA), are expected to provide playing opportunities for more than 3,000 children.
In Nimba County, FIFA Forward funding has also supported the installation of a standard-size artificial football pitch at the Gompa Stadium. The project extends beyond the playing surface, with upgrades including floodlights, an underground sprinkler system, improved fencing and roofing for spectator stands.
The funding has also contributed to improvements at Liberia’s national stadium, the Stade Antoinette Tubman Stadium, including the installation of floodlights.
The upgrades have expanded the facility’s capacity to host football matches at night, including games involving women’s teams and youth categories.
At the grassroots level, FIFA supported the LFA in launching its Grassroots Football School League in 2025.
The program targets different age groups and seeks to make football part of school activities while creating a structured pathway for young players.
LFA President Mustapha Raji said the support has helped expand organized football among young people and contributed to the growth of women’s football.
“For the first time, we have grassroots leagues in our country running from U-12, U-15 (to) U-17,” Raji said, adding that women’s football has also grown with support from the FIFA Forward Program.
The projects come as Liberia continues efforts to strengthen football from the grassroots level, improve sporting infrastructure and create more opportunities for young players to participate in organized competitions.
