FIFA has decided to offer financial sustenance for the construction of a new international-standard football stadium in Sri Lanka, stated by Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath.
The anticipated stadium is set to be developed on land owned by the Board of Investment in Kadolkale, Negombo, following an understanding reached during the visit of a FIFA Vice President last year.
Preliminary legal procedures related to the project have already commenced, indicating steady progress toward bringing the long-anticipated facility to life.
Once completed, the stadium is expected to enable Sri Lanka to host international football tournaments, engaging the country firmly on the global football map.
The announcement came during the official launch of the FIFA World Cup Fan Zone 2026 in Colombo, which opened on June 11 along York Street.
The fan zone is designed to give local football enthusiasts the opportunity to watch live broadcasts of World Cup matches in a lively, shared setting, creating a festive atmosphere in the heart of the city.
The induction, held under the patronage of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighted not only the stadium project but also the broader vision to strengthen football and sports tourism in Sri Lanka.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister emphasized that the FIFA-backed stadium would be a game-changer, creating new opportunities for athletes while also drawing international attention to the island.
He noted that while cricket has traditionally dominated the country’s sporting landscape, football holds immense untapped potential, and Sri Lanka could rapidly grow its presence in the international football arena and attract visitors through sports-related events. Highlighting the resilience of the tourism sector, he also revealed that the number of tourist arrivals had surpassed one million as of May 31 this year, reflecting renewed global confidence in Sri Lanka despite challenging global conditions.
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