17/09/2026
Youth football is flourishing in Liberia thanks to several projects which have been supported by FIFA 🇱🇷🙌
In one of the most recent developments, the FIFA Arena project – which aims to build 1,000 pitches around the world by 2031 in less-privileged urban and rural areas – arrived in the West African country in September 2025.
More than 3,000 children will benefit from two mini-pitches installed at schools in Paynesville, part of the Greater Monrovia area, as a result of collaboration between FIFA and the Liberia football association (LFA).
A standard-size, FIFA-approved artificial playing surface at the Gompa Stadium was installed in the north-eastern Nimba county, with funding from the FIFA Forward Programme.
The work also includes major upgrades to the existing stadium, such as the installation of floodlights, an underground sprinkler system, improved fencing, and roofing for spectator stands.
Also in 2025, FIFA supported the LFA as it rolled out its Grassroots Football School League at various age levels, which focuses on integrating football into school activities while supporting the overall development of young learners.
FIFA Forward also funded the refurbishment of Liberia’s national stadium, the Stade Antoinette Tubman Stadium, with improvements including new floodlights. It can now host night matches across all age groups, including more women’s matches.
LFA President, Mustapha Raji, said: “For the first time, we have grassroots leagues in our country running from U-12, U-15 (to) U-17. For the first time, we've seen women's football grow in our country, all through the support, to the [innovative introduction] of the FIFA Forward Programme.”