Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Hussein Mohammed has revealed details of President William Ruto’s meeting with FIFA president Gianni Infantino in New YorkDownload our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe two leaders met on Thursday, 24 September, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where they discussed a wider partnership between Kenya and the global football governing body, including youth development, infrastructure, and technical capacity building.##NAJAVA_MECA_9984512##According to the FKF boss, the talks also covered progress on the FIFA Arena project and plans for a modern technical center, alongside the proposed Mombasa facility that would serve the Coast region and potentially host international football and sports tourism activities.“We held fruitful discussions on strengthening the Kenya-FIFA partnership to accelerate football development in Kenya, focusing on youth, infrastructure, and capacity building.We also discussed progress on the FIFA Arena project, a modern technical center, and 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 on social media.The proposal comes against the backdrop of ongoing work at Mombasa County Stadium, where the government is modernizing the facility into a 10,000-seater venue. Gor Mahia official explains why Charles Akonnor should stay despite Champions League exitIt is not yet clear whether the FIFA-standard stadium discussed in New York would be a separate project or form part of the wider plans for sporting infrastructure in the coastal city. No capacity, cost, location, or construction timeline has been announced for the proposed facility.The meeting also placed considerable emphasis on developing a stronger pathway for young footballers through regional technical centers.President Ruto said the discussions focused on establishing centers that would identify and nurture talent at the grassroots level while providing young players with clearer routes into the professional game.##NAJAVA_MECA_9984524##“Kenya is strengthening its partnership with FIFA to develop football talent and grow the game. We discussed regional technical centers to identify and nurture young talent, strengthen grassroots football, and create clear pathways for the next generation of Kenyan players,” he said.Kenya has already secured FIFA support for the development of a technical center in Machakos, with the project expected to form part of the country’s broader football development infrastructure. The Machakos proposal was also discussed during an earlier meeting between the two leaders in August 2025.The latest talks come as the government continues to pursue an ambitious expansion of sports infrastructure, including its plan to construct 32 new stadia across the country.Kariobangi Sharks chairman on whether club will return to court after playoffsAt the national level, Kenya is also preparing for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which it will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania. The recently built Talanta Sports International Stadium is among the facilities being prepared for the tournament, while Kasarani Stadium has also undergone works ahead of the continental competition. CAF president Patrice Motsepe inspected both facilities during his visit to Kenya last week as part of the ongoing AFCON preparations.Benni McCarthy on why there will be no mercy when Kenya face South AfricaThe New York discussions therefore add a wider football-development agenda to Kenya’s preparations for AFCON 2027, with the proposed Mombasa stadium, regional technical centers, and the FIFA Arena project forming part of plans to expand football infrastructure beyond the capital.
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