FIFA has agreed to provide financial support for the construction of a new international-standard football stadium in Sri Lanka, Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath announced on Thursday.
The proposed stadium will be developed on land owned by the Board of Investment at Kadolkale, Negombo, following an understanding reached during the visit of a FIFA Vice President last year, NewsFirst reported. Initial legal procedures related to the project have already commenced.
Once completed, the venue is expected to enable Sri Lanka to host international football tournaments, the minister said.
Herath announced the project at the official launch of the FIFA World Cup Fan Zone 2026 in Colombo, which opened on June 11 along York Street to give local football fans a venue to watch live broadcasts of World Cup matches in a shared, festive setting. The launch was held under the patronage of the Foreign Ministry.
Addressing the gathering, Herath said the FIFA-backed stadium would be “a game-changer”, creating new opportunities for athletes while drawing international attention to the island. He noted that while cricket has traditionally dominated Sri Lanka’s sporting landscape, football holds “immense untapped potential” and Sri Lanka could rapidly grow its presence in the international football arena while attracting visitors through sports-related events.
Herath also said tourist arrivals had surpassed one million as of May 31, reflecting renewed global confidence in Sri Lanka despite challenging conditions. Maharaja Media Network — which holds Sri Lanka broadcast rights for the 2026 World Cup — is anchoring local coverage of the tournament hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Sources: Sri Lanka To Get FIFA-Backed International Football Stadium — NewsFirst, June 12.
