Ruto, Infantino Discuss Plans for FIFA-Standard Stadium in Mombasa
By KASS MTV USA Newsroom | New York, USA
President William Ruto and FIFA President Gianni Infantino have discussed plans for a FIFA-standard stadium in Mombasa as Kenya seeks to expand its sports infrastructure and strengthen its position as a destination for international football and sports tourism.
The discussions took place on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi were also part of the meeting.
According to Mohammed, the proposed stadium would serve the Coast region and provide a modern venue capable of hosting international football matches and other major sporting events.
“We also discussed progress on the possibility of a FIFA-standard stadium in Mombasa to serve the Coast region and position Kenya as a hub for international football and sports tourism,” Mohammed said in a statement.
Expanding Kenya’s Sports Infrastructure
The proposed Mombasa facility comes as the Kenyan government continues to pursue major investments in sports infrastructure across the country.
The government has previously announced plans involving the construction and development of multiple stadiums and sporting facilities, including the Raila Odinga International Stadium, which has been developed to meet FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards.
President Ruto has also highlighted plans for additional sports facilities as part of efforts to expand opportunities for athletes and improve Kenya’s capacity to host international competitions.
Regional Technical Centres to Develop Young Talent
The meeting with Infantino also focused on grassroots football and the development of young players.
President Ruto said Kenya and FIFA discussed establishing regional technical centres designed to identify and nurture emerging football talent.
“We discussed regional technical centres to identify and nurture young talent, strengthen grassroots football and create clear pathways for the next generation of Kenyan players,” Ruto said.
The proposed centres would provide training and development opportunities for young footballers while strengthening the structures connecting grassroots football with elite competition.
FIFA Arena and Technical Centre
FKF President Hussein Mohammed also briefed Infantino on progress regarding the FIFA Arena project and plans for a modern technical centre.
The discussions build on an earlier meeting between Ruto and Infantino at State House in August 2025, when the two discussed the development of a KSh600 million National Technical Centre in Machakos with FIFA support.
The Machakos project was envisioned as an important facility for football development and was expected to accommodate the FKF headquarters alongside technical and training infrastructure.
Kenya’s AFCON 2027 Preparations
The FKF president also briefed the FIFA president on Kenya’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya will co-host with Tanzania and Uganda.
The tournament is expected to provide an opportunity for the three East African countries to showcase their sporting infrastructure and strengthen their capacity to host major international sporting events.
For Kenya, the proposed Mombasa stadium would add another major football facility to the country’s developing sports infrastructure, while potentially giving the Coast region a dedicated venue for international competitions.
The discussions in New York therefore covered both immediate infrastructure projects and longer-term plans for football development, talent identification and Kenya’s role in international sport.
