Armenia joins the inaugural group of FIFA Arena global program

Armenia has become one of the first 11 countries to join FIFA Arena — an ambitious global initiative aimed at installing at least 1,000 mini-pitches worldwide to expand children’s access to football.

A grand opening ceremony was held in Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, to inaugurate two new mini-pitches. These fields were built as part of the FIFA Arena initiative, which focuses on developing football infrastructure in underprivileged urban and rural areas.

“Congratulations to the Football Federation of Armenia and its president Armen Melikbekyan — you are among the first 11 countries to launch this project. This will truly change the lives of millions of children,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino in a video message shown at the opening ceremony.

President of the Football Federation of Armenia, Armen Melikbekyan, expressed hope that the new fields would become the birthplace of future Armenian football stars:
“Perhaps the journey of Armenia’s future footballers will begin right here on these pitches.”

Legendary footballer and FIFA ambassador Christian Karembeu also attended the event. The new fields will be used by schoolchildren and young athletes from Yerevan.

From 2019 to 2021, with the support of the FIFA Forward program, the Football Federation of Armenia built mini-pitches in 89 communities across the country. In 2023, the project won the FIFA Forward Award as the best project among all program participants.

Alongside Armenia, the inaugural group of FIFA Arena includes Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Georgia, Algeria, Indonesia, and Paraguay.