On September 24, 2026, President William Ruto and FIFA President Gianni Infantino held high-level discussions on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting was attended by Football Kenya Federation President Hussein Mohammed and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. The talks focused on elevating Kenya's standing in international sports tourism through the construction of a FIFA-standard stadium in Mombasa.
The proposed Mombasa stadium is part of the government's broader sports infrastructure agenda, which includes the construction of 32 regional facilities. One notable project is the Raila Odinga International Stadium, built to meet both FIFA and Confederation of African Football specifications. The stadium will serve Kenya's coastal region and position the country as a hub for international football and sports tourism.
In addition to stadium construction, the discussions centered on deepening institutional partnerships between Kenya and FIFA. President Ruto highlighted plans to establish regional technical centers to decentralize talent identification and structure developmental pathways for youth athletes. This initiative aims to strengthen grassroots football and create clear pathways for the next generation of Kenyan players.
The delegation reviewed the implementation of the FIFA Arena project and the establishment of a state-of-the-art national technical center to support coaching education and elite player development nationwide. This project is expected to enhance Kenya's football capabilities and provide a platform for young athletes to develop their skills.
FKF President Hussein Mohammed confirmed that the proposed Mombasa stadium will serve the Coast region and position Kenya as a hub for international football and sports tourism. The stadium is expected to boost Kenya's sports tourism industry and provide a world-class venue for international football matches.
The discussions between President Ruto and FIFA President Gianni Infantino reflect the government's commitment to developing Kenya's sports infrastructure. The construction of a FIFA-standard stadium in Mombasa and the establishment of regional technical centers are key initiatives aimed at promoting football development and sports tourism in the country.
The implementation of these projects is expected to have a positive impact on Kenya's sports sector, providing opportunities for young athletes to develop their skills and for the country to host international football matches. The partnership between Kenya and FIFA is seen as a significant step towards achieving these goals and promoting sports development in the country.
Key points
- President Ruto and FIFA President Gianni Infantino discuss construction of a FIFA-standard stadium in Mombasa to boost sports tourism in Kenya.
- The proposed stadium is part of the government's broader sports infrastructure agenda, which includes construction of 32 regional facilities.
- The partnership between Kenya and FIFA aims to promote football development and sports tourism in the country.
