FIFA and LFA Commission New Football Pitches, Boosting Liberia’s Grassroots Game

Monrovia, Liberia — Grassroots football in Liberia has received a significant and strategic boost as the Liberia Football Association (LFA), in collaboration with FIFA, officially commissioned three new football facilities across the country on Monday, September 29. The initiative is designed to drastically improve infrastructure and promote community involvement in the sport.

The commissioning marks a major milestone in the LFA’s commitment to decentralized development and FIFA’s global commitment to strengthening football foundations in member associations.

New Facilities across Three Counties. The newly opened facilities are strategically located to serve diverse communities and development needs:

1. FIFA-Standard Pitch in Gompa, Nimba County: This full-sized pitch is built to international specifications, providing a critical venue for senior matches, regional tournaments, and high-level training sessions. Its location outside the capital aims to decentralize football development and identify talent in underserved regions.
2. FIFA Arena Mini-Pitch (Montserrado County): This 20×40 meter mini-pitch, perfectly suited for 7-a-side games, was inaugurated at the Bible Way Mission School on the Roberts International Airport (RIA) Road. This facility is expected to serve as a hub for youth leagues and school programs in the Montserrado area.
3. FIFA Arena Mini-Pitch (Margibi County): The second mini-pitch, also built to the 20×40 meter specifications, was commissioned at the Edward Binyah Kesselly (EBK) Military Barracks. This pitch will not only provide opportunities for the military community but also offer a secure and structured environment for local youth outreach programs.

Fostering Player Development and Community Access

The LFA confirmed that the new infrastructure forms part of its ongoing efforts to expand access to quality, standardized football pitches. The emphasis on mini-pitches, in particular, allows for frequent use, less maintenance, and focused skill development for young players.

Speaking at the ceremony, LFA officials expressed optimism that these facilities would fundamentally change the landscape of Liberian football. The new pitches are expected to:

• Improve Player Development: Provide consistently good playing surfaces, essential for honing technical skills.
• Inspire Participation: Encourage more young Liberians, especially girls and boys at the grassroots level, to join organized football programs.
• Lay the Groundwork for Success: Create a stronger talent pipeline that can feed into national youth teams and eventually the senior national team, the Lone Star.

FIFA representatives reiterated that the initiative represents another vital step toward their commitment to building stronger, sustainable grassroots programs in Liberia, helping the country nurture its raw talent into future national and international success stories.