FIFA says it has approved $17.9 million in funding for Azerbaijan since 2016 under its Forward development programme. The money has gone toward stadium upgrades, VAR technology, academy construction and a digital scouting system.
According to a report published on FIFA’s official website, $9.9 million allocated to Azerbaijan between 2016 and 2022 included $6.2 million spent directly on football infrastructure. The funding paid for a full overhaul of Ganja city stadium and the installation of two natural-grass pitches at Sumgayit city stadium and one at Baku’s Olympic Stadium.
In August 2022, $480,000 was spent on introducing the VAR system for matches in the Azerbaijan Premier League and the national cup. The budget covered three video operation rooms and a mobile hub in Baku, allowing simultaneous monitoring of four matches.
Academy construction and stadium restoration costs
The report lists several specific figures: $745,000 was allocated in 2023 for building a football academy in Ganja, while $275,000 went toward renovating Agsu stadium between 2023 and 2024. Repairs at the Dalga Arena training centre in 2024 cost $194,651, and replacing the artificial turf on three pitches at the Dalga, Bine and Agsu stadiums between 2023 and 2024 cost $1,089,962. Separately, $146,634 was spent on 2025 renovation work at the National Training Centre.
Particular attention was paid to the Turan Tovuz Football Academy, which received $1.1 million through the FIFA Forward line. Built with joint support from FIFA, UEFA and AFFA, the complex features four small pitches, one of them indoor, dormitory and dining facilities, a medical room, a gym, a sauna and a meeting room. The nearby Tovuz city stadium has also undergone major reconstruction.
Digital scouting system and upcoming tournaments
In 2025, 48 cameras were installed across eight stadiums for video analysis, alongside a unified electronic database to track promising young players. In 2026, funding will go toward building a scouting and tracking platform covering 1,300 matches across seven separate youth leagues.
Azerbaijan also became one of the first 11 countries to complete the FIFA Arena project, finishing it in September 2025. Football pitches were built on the grounds of two educational institutions, to be used by more than 6,000 students.
The report also covers a world championship and festival for footballers under 15, due to take place in Azerbaijan from October 24 to 30. Around 3,000 children representing 189 football federations will take part, with most matches held at a newly built sports complex in Hovsan. The opening ceremony is set for October 24 at Crystal Hall, followed by a match between Azerbaijan and Timor-Leste.
AFFA president Rovshan Najaf said the infrastructure built for the tournament would remain available to local clubs and academies once the competition ends. Arsene Wenger, head of FIFA’s Global Football Development division, stressed the importance of young athletes gaining international experience regardless of where they live.
FIFA also noted that Azerbaijan hosted FIFA Series tournaments in 2024 and 2026, and will co-host the Under-20 World Cup with Uzbekistan in 2027.
