ATLANTA (April 1, 2026) — U.S. Soccer, through the Soccer Forward Foundation, today introduced the Places to Play initiative, a priority effort focused on expanding access to safe, inclusive, and accessible spaces to play soccer across the United States.
As momentum builds toward the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, Places to Play represents a long-term commitment to addressing one of the most significant barriers to participation in the sport. Through supporting and enabling more investment in infrastructure, resources, and partnerships, Soccer Forward is working to ensure that more communities have the opportunity to experience the game.
The first step in this initiative is anchored by two initial efforts that represent this work. New small-sided FIFA-approved pitches will be unveiled in Birmingham, Alabama and Oakland, California, creating high-quality spaces for youth and community members to play. In parallel, Soccer Forward is introducing the Places to Play Toolkit, a practical resource, developed in partnership with dozens of experts in design, infrastructure and soccer, designed to help organizations and communities develop, create and activate soccer spaces nationwide.
“We know that a major barrier to access to soccer is around safe and inclusive places to play,” said Lex Chalat, Executive Director of the Soccer Forward Foundation. “There is a need for more soccer spaces in all forms – not just full-sized fields, but mini-pitches, beach, hard top, futsal and more. Additionally, we know that once spaces are built, they are not always maintained or programmed in a way that enables accessibility. How are these pitches sustained? How are they inclusive? How are the responding to community need? All of these elements are crucial for these spaces to be platforms for our sport to thrive. Through projects like FIFA Arena and other pitch-building initiatives being delivered by organizations across the country. With the Places to Play Toolkit, we are acknowledging the need for both investment and best practice resources that help communities bring those spaces to life. This work is just the beginning of a broader, long-term effort to grow the game and create lasting impact.”
“Growing up in Birmingham, having a place to play meant everything,” said U.S. Men’s National Team defender Chris Richards. “To come back now and see these FIFA Arena pitches here for the next generation is something I’m really proud to be a part of. These spaces are about more than soccer, they give kids a place to belong, to build confidence, and to dream bigger. Knowing this pitch will be used by multiple organizations across the community makes it even more meaningful. You never know who might step onto a pitch like this and discover a path they didn’t know was possible.”
The FIFA Arena pitches are delivered in partnership with local leaders and organizations, including Birmingham Legion FC in Alabama, and are designed to serve as hubs for community engagement, programming, and play. As FIFA-approved small-sided pitches, they reflect Soccer Forward Foundation and FIFA’s shared commitment to expanding access to the game by creating safe, inclusive, and high-quality spaces for youth and community members. Made possible in part through a land donation from KultureCity, these installations represent a growing investment in communities nationwide through soccer.
The Places to Play Toolkit complements these investments by highlighting best practices by expert organizations, providing guidance, tools, and resources to support communities looking to build or enhance soccer spaces. Together, these efforts reflect Soccer Forward’s comprehensive approach to expanding access and participation nationwide.
Places to Play are part of Soccer Forward’s broader mission to grow the game and use soccer as a force for good. By working across community, education, and other sectors, the initiative aims to create more opportunities for young people and communities to connect through soccer.
For more information, visit ussoccer.com/soccer-forward.