FIFA has signed an agreement with the Mongolian Football Federation (MFF) and the government for building of a new 25,000-seat national football stadium in Ulaanbaatar.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino joined Mongolian officials earlier this month to announce a memorandum of understanding outlining cooperation on the proposed development.
The stadium is expected to be located in the Yarmag area of the capital, on the site of the MFF’s Technical Centre, according to local reports.
The project aims to provide a modern venue for Mongolia’s national team and domestic football, while improving the country’s capacity to host international matches and tournaments.
The proposed 25,000-seat facility would represent a significant upgrade on Ulaanbaatar’s existing National Sports Stadium, which opened in 1958 and has a reported capacity of approximately 12,500.
The existing venue hosts multiple sports and is not a purpose-built modern football stadium.
FIFA’s involvement is expected to include technical advice and professional support for the planning, design and construction of the stadium.
However, the overall project budget, financing arrangements and construction timetable have not yet been publicly confirmed. The memorandum establishes a framework for cooperation.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said, “[This is] a tri-party agreement to develop the project of a new, beautiful national stadium. A stadium that will be a jewel, that will be the pride of Mongolia.
“A national stadium today is much more than a place where you play football. It is a symbol of a country like Mongolia, who wants to invest in their youth, in their girls, in their boys, who wants to invest in its future, and the stadium symbolises all of that.
“It is visible, it is seen everywhere in the world, and from a FIFA perspective, we are proud to team up with the government and the federation to make this ambitious project happen.”
The development would address a longstanding need for improved football infrastructure in Mongolia, where harsh winter conditions restrict outdoor training and playing opportunities.
FIFA has previously supported the MFF through investment in facilities including a covered Air Dome training centre, completed in 2023, which enables players to train during the winter months.
FIFA has also provided funding through its FIFA Forward development programme, supporting projects intended to strengthen football infrastructure and participation in the country.
The proposed national stadium would represent a further step in those efforts, providing a larger venue built to international football requirements.
The project’s next stages are expected to involve further planning and technical development, although no architect, construction contractor or opening date has been announced.
The government’s role will be important in determining how the project progresses, including the provision of the necessary support under national law. The extent of FIFA’s financial contribution, if any, has not been specified publicly.
If delivered, the proposed stadium would substantially increase Mongolia’s capacity to host international football and provide a modern home for its national team. Its development would also form part of broader efforts to improve training facilities and create better conditions for the growth of the sport across the country.
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