MBABANE – Eswatini has a rare opportunity to upgrade its sports infrastructure, particularly Somhlolo National Stadium, through a landmark partnership between the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and FIFA.
Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU), up to E22 billion in concessional loans will be made available to FIFA member associations in developing nations to construct or enhance FIFA-certified stadiums and surrounding infrastructure.
This is per information which was posted on fifa.com on Monday.
The initiative is designed to harness sport as a driver for national development, promoting social inclusion, youth empowerment and economic opportunity. For Eswatini, this could address a long-standing challenge: The lack of FIFA-approved stadiums.
Somhlolo National Stadium, Eswatini’s premier venue, was closed from 2019 to 2025 for renovations.
During this period, the national team and local clubs had to host international fixtures outside the country, primarily at Mbombela Stadium in South Africa, incurring nearly E1 million per game.
The stadium reopened in 2025 and recently hosted a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Angola, but major upgrades remain necessary to meet CAF and FIFA standards.
Current estimates put the cost of required improvements at over E19.3 million, covering expanded dressing rooms, press and ball boys’ rooms, new stands, roofing, concrete paving and permanent medical stations for spectators.
CAF inspections highlighted issues including limited dressing room space, insufficient east-side seating, inadequate floodlighting, small disabled-access areas and uneven circulation zones. Suggested solutions include repurposing adjacent areas, installing decorative branding, and clearing access routes, though significant investment is still needed.
Saudi Arabia, who qualified for the 2026 World Cup and are set to host the 2034 edition, have demonstrated the benefits of investing in world-class stadium infrastructure.
Their new stadiums feature flowing, multifunctional designs that combine spectator comfort with advanced technology. Eswatini could draw inspiration from these projects when planning Somhlolo’s full upgrade or establishing a new technical centre or stadium that meets FIFA standards.
Accessing concessional loans like those from SFD generally involves a government or FIFA member association proposal, detailing how the funds will enhance sports development and social inclusion, supported by feasibility studies and compliance with technical standards. Approved projects receive loans on favourable terms, often with low interest rates and extended repayment periods, making them viable for large infrastructure projects.
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SFD’s Sultan Al-Marshad and FIFA’s Gianni Infantino after signing the landmark E22 billion agreement to boost stadium construction and upgrades across developing countries. (Pic: Fifa page)