Guyana Begins Installation of First Two FIFA Arena Mini-Pitches

According to Kaieteur News, Guyana has advanced in installing its first two FIFA Arena mini-pitches, as installation work began over the weekend at the Haslington location on the East Coast of Demerara, marking a significant move to expand grassroots football infrastructure in the country on October 20, 2026.

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) confirmed that the final construction phase started over the weekend, with FIFA specialists working to install the artificial turf, fencing, goals, and side boards at the Haslington site. FIFA experts continued the grass installation process on Sunday.

This development positions Guyana among the first Caribbean nations to implement the FIFA Arena Project, a worldwide effort designed to offer children and young people secure, contemporary, and accessible areas for playing football. The project is part of FIFA's wider commitment to install 1,000 mini-pitches globally, supporting the expansion of its Football for Schools program and enhancing opportunities for youth involvement in the sport.

Guyana is slated to receive two all-weather mini-pitches; the second facility is situated at Retrieve, Linden, and is intended to serve the communities in the Upper Demerara region. The GFF stated that after the installation at Haslington is finished, the FIFA team will proceed to Retrieve to complete the corresponding work. Official dates for the commissioning of both facilities are anticipated to be announced soon.

Each mini-pitch is manufactured by Edel Grass BV, based in the Netherlands, and costs around US$98,000, which is equivalent to GY$21 million, representing a considerable investment in facilities meant to support community football and youth development.

The start of the installation fulfills a commitment made by the GFF after the two pitches arrived in Guyana in December of the previous year. At that time, the federation pledged to provide these facilities to the football communities of East Demerara and Upper Demerara.

GFF President Wayne Forde welcomed the progress and acknowledged the contributions of Rickford Profitt, President of the East Demerara Football Association, and Wainwright Bethune, President of the Upper Demerara Football Association, in moving the initiative forward. Forde stated that the federation is now fulfilling its promise after receiving the two pitches in December of the previous year.

Furthermore, the GFF president outlined the federation's larger objective to extend the FIFA Arena concept beyond the two initial spots, aiming to establish mini-pitches across all nine regional football associations. Forde added that the ambition is to create safe, modern, and accessible spaces where young boys and girls can discover their talents, schools can improve their football programs, and communities can unite through football.

The initiative is expected to offer a valuable platform for introducing more children to football, improving access to organized sporting activities, and strengthening school-based programs, especially in underserved areas. Beyond providing playing surfaces, the facilities are intended to aid in talent identification, promote greater youth participation, and foster increased community involvement in the sport.

With installation currently progressing at Haslington and Retrieve next in line, Guyana is taking initial practical steps toward realizing the FIFA Arena vision while laying the groundwork for a wider expansion of grassroots football infrastructure nationwide.