Reviewed by: Pat Byington
Nation’s first FIFA Arena opens in Birmingham as part of 2026 World Cup initiative
Reading time: 5 minutes
With 10 weeks to go before the 2026 Men’s World Cup kicks off, FIFA came to town to put a spotlight on the Magic City. And we promise it wasn’t an April Fools Day joke.
U.S. Soccer partnered with Birmingham native Chris Richards along with Birmingham Legion FC, Soccer Forward Foundation and Kulture City to unveil the nation’s first FIFA Arena right here in Birmingham.
“I hope it’s an inspiration. I wish I had somebody from Birmingham who was doing this when I was growing up. Now that I can be that person, hopefully it inspires the next generation to pick up a soccer ball or just to be active.”
Chris Richards, US Soccer player + Birmingham native
FIFA Arena holds ribbon cutting
A crowd gathered Wednesday afternoon at the Powell Avenue Steam Plant to celebrate the official opening of the first FIFA Arena.
The location, which came from a land donation by KultureCity, is now home to the permanent small-sided FIFA pitch in the heart of the city.
Richards, who is also part of the ownership group for Birmingham Legion FC, said he wanted to make sure the field was placed somewhere so every part of the community could access it easily.
“I think it’s cool to put it here in downtown. This place is so historic and I want to be a part of the future of this city. Hopefully it brings more soccer players like myself.”
Chris Richards
Richards personally sponsored the project but he was not the only one involved during Wednesday’s festivities. Others in attendance included:
- Randall Woodfin, Birmingham mayor
- Jay Heaps, CEO and head coach of Birmingham Legion
- Lex Chalat, Executive Director, Soccer Forward Foundation
- Niko Nhouvannasak, FIFA Arena Team Lead
- Karishma Inayat, Project Coordinator
There was also a virtual appearance from FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“What perfect momentum for the first FIFA Arena just 72 days before the start of the FIFA World Cup. We highlight the importance of grassroots and youth development for a big, diverse and football-loving city like Birmingham, Alabama.”
Gianni Infantino, FIFA President
Youth soccer players from NorthStar Soccer ministries got to be the first to take the field Wednesday.
And they even got to play against Richards and Heaps in the first official game at the FIFA Arena.
“This is a true investment from (Chris Richards). He came to us and said ‘there’s a need for more places to play in my hometown, how can we make that happen?’ He truly drove this project, we’re just really grateful to be able to support him in that.”
Lex Chalat, Soccer Forward Foundation
Birmingham Legion will host programs and camps at the arena. There’s no word on if the court will include public hours.
Soccer in Alabama
The opening of the FIFA Arena marks just another step in the growing of the game across the state over the last decade.
The Birmingham Legion remain in the USL Championship, hoping to build some momentum in the first season with Jay Heaps as the head coach.
“We’re grinding every day, trying to get better… but in doing so, you take a step back and see what Birmingham Legion has brought to Birmingham. What the local ownership has done to put professional soccer here. That has allowed this gateway, allowed this opportunity to happen.”
Jay Heaps
The club also has a youth academy and a women’s team that plays in the USL Super League. Dothan, Montgomery and Huntsville have also fielded professional teams in recent years.
The rise of a player like Chris Richards also helps but he’s not the only one on the big stage. Tanner Tessman could join him on the national team this summer while players like Nicole + Toni Payne have represented Nigeria on the big stage.
“We all grew up together, playing together or playing against one another. Our whole mission was to put Birmingham on the map, soccer wise… making sure we can represent the city as much as possible. That’s our number one mission.”
Chris Richards
2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup
The opening of the FIFA Arena is part of a broader initiative to ramp up excitement ahead of the United States playing host to the biggest sporting event in the world.
A second FIFA Arena is opening in Oakland this month as part of FIFA’s 1,000-pitch commitment across the world.
The field of 48 nations was finalized this week as the 2026 World Cup officially kicks off on June 11. Richards, who played in a friendly against Portugal the night before arriving in Birmingham, is expected to play a key role in the United States team.
The U.S. will play its first game on June 12.
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