The solidarity funding, announced during a visit to Gaza by a delegation from football's world governing body after being approved by the FIFA Finance Committee last month, will help the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) to build 20 mini pitches in different municipalities of the Gaza Strip.

"Our support will come through the $1 million mini pitches project and through technical support," said David Borja, FIFA's development manager for Asia who led the delegation in their visit to Gaza.

"This will include organising courses in Gaza, sending FIFA instructors and consultants to the region.

"Also, Gaza will receive technical and material support in beach soccer."

The 50-day war between Israel and Palestinian militants caused widespread devastation in Gaza but FIFA has now promised to fund a series of projects to help the country recover ©Getty Images


He added that FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who vowed to help the PFA and declared himself an "ambassador of the Palestine people" during a visit to the region last year, will inaugurate the development once the projects are finished, which could be as early as this summer.

The PFA will now send detailed project and budget proposals to FIFA before the funds are audited.

A final report will then be sent to FIFA upon completion.

The Palestine national squad are due to make their debut at the Asian Cup finals next Monday (January 12) after qualifying for the continental tournament for the first time.

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