Infantino, Sadi Inaugurate Tlemcen Regional Technical Centre as Algeria Advances Football Modernisation Strategy and Deepens FIFA Partnership
By Dr. Hana Saada
The inauguration of the Regional Technical Centre in Tlemcen, presided over by Algerian Minister of Sports and President of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) Walid Sadi alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, marks a further consolidation of Algeria’s strategic investment in football infrastructure and its expanding cooperation with global football governance institutions.
The ceremony, held on the Lalla Setti plateau in the western city of Tlemcen, was attended by local authorities and senior officials, and forms part of a broader national programme aimed at upgrading training facilities and strengthening talent development pathways across the country.
In his address, Sadi described the facility as the embodiment of a “concrete vision” for the development of football in Algeria, reflecting a clear ambition to construct a modern sporting environment. He emphasised that the project illustrates both the depth of cooperation between the FAF and FIFA and its tangible impact on infrastructure expansion and access to organised football.
Sadi further underlined that the Algerian football authorities have placed partnership activation at the centre of their development strategy, positioning FIFA programmes as structural instruments for reform and modernisation. He noted that investment efforts have extended beyond infrastructure delivery to include the transformation of governance tools and administrative practices within the federation.
According to Sadi, Algeria has emerged as a continental reference point in the adoption of football technologies, notably Video Assistant Referee (VAR) systems, as part of a broader and ongoing process of institutional and technical modernisation.
He also highlighted the scale of domestic football administration, with the FAF overseeing more than 70,000 matches annually across a nationwide organisational structure. This, he said, reflects the central role of football in Algeria not only as a sport, but as a structured social ecosystem with developmental significance.
Sadi further noted that Algeria is among the first African countries to implement the FIFA “Arena” project, with six pitches established within educational institutions, aimed at integrating football more closely into the school environment and expanding access at grassroots level.
For his part, FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed satisfaction at his visit to Algeria and his reception by President Tebboune. He highlighted the substance of their discussions, which covered youth development, investment, sporting infrastructure, and football academies.
The same official stressed that governance reforms are being implemented in alignment with FIFA standards, with particular emphasis on transparency, efficiency, and operational modernisation. He also acknowledged the sustained support of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, particularly in the delivery of modern infrastructure, alongside a renewed focus on youth development, school sport, and talent identification systems.
Infantino described the Tlemcen facility as a “true jewel,” stating that Algeria stands as “an example at global level” in its commitment to youth development and sports infrastructure. He added that such technical centres are essential for the emergence of future international talent and confirmed FIFA’s intention to further support investment in schools, training centres, and football infrastructure across the country.
The Tlemcen Regional Technical Centre, developed within the framework of FIFA’s “Forward Programme,” spans 38,125 square metres and includes accommodation facilities with 145 rooms, multiple training pitches (natural, hybrid, and synthetic surfaces), a futsal hall, medical and fitness centres, a swimming pool, conference facilities, administrative offices, as well as full boarding and catering infrastructure.
A secondary inauguration was also conducted during the visit, with the opening of a new football pitch at the Inal-Sid Ahmed middle school in the Bouhanak district of Mansourah, reinforcing the emphasis on linking sports development with educational environments.
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