With the goal of making the historic venue world-class.
On Sunday, November 15, FIFA President Gianni Infantino flew to the Philippines to participate in the landmark tripartite agreement between the international football federation, the Philippine Footbal Federation (PFF) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
The said deal, worth US$25 million, covers the rebuilding works for the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium within the larger Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.
The said deal was signed between Infantino, PFF President John Gutierrez, PSC Chairman John Patrick Gregorio, as well as other government officials led by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.
The modernization of the venue, which has been described as the “Mecca of Philippine sports” for nine decades, is being dedicated to the next generation of athletes.
“It is about inspiring our youth,” said Infantino on the deal as he congratulated the Women’s National Team for qualifying for the second time in the 2028 World Cup in Brazil.
He also emphasized that their duty is to remind that football belongs to “everyone, everywhere.”
“For us at FIFA, when we say football is for everyone, everywhere, we mean it. We increase participation and investment,” the FIFA President said. “We don’t want emerging countries to just watch football on TV. We want every country to become part of football.”
He also mentioned the historic first FIFA Futsal World Cup, which was held in Manila in 2025.
Meanwhile, on building the new Rizal Memorial Stadium, Infantino stressed: “To build a stadium is more than just building a venue for the national team and players. To build a stadium is to give smiles, to give happiness, to give hope to a whole country.”
He added that building a stadium also shows the country’s belief in the skills of the youth and future by investing in these.
Meanwhile, Infantino is also set to attend the 2026 Asian Football Federation (AFF) Congress in Makati during his visit.
On the sidelines of the event, the FIFA chief was also able to strike a photo with Secretary Manny Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight-division world champion.
