Infantino at Baabda: Discussions on building a modernized football stadium in Lebanon

President Joseph Aoun welcomed Gianni Infantino, president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), on Monday in Lebanon. According to the Lebanese presidency, the construction of a football stadium in Lebanon, fully funded by FIFA, was on the meeting agenda.

"The discussions focused on the project of building a modern stadium meeting international standards, entirely financed by FIFA, which would represent a major opportunity to strengthen the performance and effectiveness of Lebanon’s national team and local clubs," the presidency stated. Infantino also reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining Lebanon’s presence on the international sports stage.

In November 2025, Infantino had announced that FIFA was considering building a stadium in Lebanon that would comply with international standards. He explained that the country needed a "modern, world-class football stadium" to host the national team’s home matches. This future facility, described as a "national symbol," would be a "source of pride" for the Lebanese with an estimated capacity of between 20,000 and 30,000 spectators.

Lebanon already has several stadiums, including the Camille Chamoun Municipal Stadium in Beirut and the Fouad Chehab Stadium in Jounieh.

Infantino thanked Aoun for granting him and members of his family the Lebanese citizenship, following the completion of official procedures, the presidency said on its X account. He was accompanied by his Lebanese wife, Lina al-Achkar, as well as the president of the Lebanese Football Association, Hachem Haidar.

In Lebanon, acquiring citizenship is a right only granted to some. By law, citizenship can be passed from a man but not from a woman, meaning children of Lebanese fathers are automatically citizens, while those with Lebanese mothers and foreign fathers are not.

Citizenship can also be granted by presidential decree, a rare and exceptional procedure. Marriage is another way, but only for foreign women marrying a Lebanese man. Foreign men married to Lebanese women are not afforded the same right.

Infantino à Baabda : discussions sur la construction d'un stade de football modernisé