Kenya has opened discussions with FIFA over the possibility of developing a FIFA standard stadium in Mombasa as the country expands investment in football infrastructure.
President William Ruto met FIFA president Gianni Infantino on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations also featuring in their discussions.
Football Kenya Federation president Hussein Mohammed, who attended the meeting, said talks centred on strengthening cooperation between Kenya and FIFA, particularly around infrastructure, youth development and capacity building.
Mohammed said the discussions also covered progress on the FIFA Arena project, development of a modern technical centre and the possibility of establishing an international-standard stadium in Mombasa.
The Mombasa proposal could significantly expand Kenya’s major football infrastructure beyond Nairobi, while potentially positioning the coastal city to stage international matches and attract sports tourism.
However, no capacity, estimated construction cost, location or timeline for the proposed stadium was announced following the meeting.
It also remains unclear whether discussions concern a completely new facility or are connected to existing government plans for stadium development in Mombasa.
The government had already indicated its intention to build a major stadium in the coastal city.
In December 2025, Kenya News Agency reported that UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar had said Mombasa would receive a major stadium following completion of Talanta Stadium.
Omar also revealed that discussions involving Mohammed, Infantino and Ruto had been taking place over developing football infrastructure in Mombasa.
The New York meeting marks another development in discussions that have been underway for several months.
Alongside the Mombasa proposal, Ruto and Infantino reviewed Kenya’s involvement in the FIFA Arena programme.
Despite its name, a FIFA Arena is not a conventional stadium, the Arenas are small-sided football pitches developed primarily to give children and communities safe and accessible facilities for playing football.
FIFA officially launched the programme in May 2025 and plans to establish at least 1,000 permanent mini-pitches worldwide by 2031.
A FIFA Arena typically features a compact artificial playing surface, perimeter fencing and small goals, allowing facilities to be installed in communities with limited space.
Kenya has been identified among African countries set to benefit from the programme as FIFA expands the initiative across the continent.
The Arena programme is part of Kenya’s growing football infrastructure relationship with FIFA, which also includes plans for a national technical centre.
FIFA is backing the proposed centre through its FIFA Forward development programme.
Ruto handed Infantino the deeds for the land during the FIFA president’s visit to Kenya in August 2025.
FIFA said the USD 4.6 million project is planned to include 1 natural grass pitch, 2 artificial pitches, an administration building and conference facilities.
The latest meeting comes as Kenya prepares alongside Uganda and Tanzania to stage AFCON 2027.
Talanta Stadium, the new 60,000-capacity facility in Nairobi, is expected to become one of Kenya’s centrepiece venues for the tournament.
Mohammed said the Kenyan delegation also briefed Infantino on the country’s preparations for the continental tournament and its broader football development ambitions.
The discussions span several levels of infrastructure, from community FIFA Arena mini-pitches and a national technical centre to the possibility of another major international stadium in Mombasa.
For Kenya, attention will now turn to how quickly the projects move from discussions and development plans into completed football facilities.