The world football governing body, FIFA and the US President Donald Trump announced a $75 million initiative to reconstruct football facilities in Gaza destroyed during the war between Israel and Hamas.

The pledge was made during the inaugural meeting of Trump’s “Board of Peace,” a newly established group of two dozen of the US president’s close allies, aimed at post-conflict recovery in the region.

“I’m also pleased to announce that FIFA will be helping to raise a total of $75 million for projects in Gaza,” Trump said, addressing attendees in Washington.

“And I think they’re soccer related, where you’re doing fields and you’re getting the greatest stars in the world to go there, people that are bigger stars than you and I, Gianni,” he added, speaking directly to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was present at the event.

Trump promised that further details would be shared soon, adding, “So it’s really something. We’ll soon be detailing the announcement, and if I can do I’ll get over there with you.”

Later on, FIFA released a statement providing more information on the initiative, including plans for a football academy, a 20,000-seat national stadium, and dozens of local pitches.

The statement did not reference Trump’s $75 million figure, instead emphasising that funds would be raised “from international leaders and institutions.”

Infantino, who has maintained close ties with Trump and awarded him the inaugural FIFA “Peace Prize” during the World Cup draw in December, attended the event wearing a red baseball cap marked “USA” and “45-47,” a nod to Trump’s presidential terms.

In FIFA’s announcement, Infantino described the initiative as “a landmark partnership agreement that will foster investment into football for the purpose of helping the recovery process in post-conflict areas.”

The “Board of Peace” was convened following a ceasefire negotiated by the Trump administration in collaboration with Qatar and Egypt, ending two years of intense conflict in Gaza.

The United States says its focus now is on disarming Hamas, the Palestinian militant group whose attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, triggered the latest escalation.