FAM to build ‘beach stadium’ in Blantyre

“Will the stadium come with a lake?” critics ask after FAM tender sparks ridicule

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has become the target of online ridicule after inviting bids for the construction of a “Beach Soccer Stadium” in Blantyre, a city with no lake or coastline.

The tender notice, released as part of FAM’s 2026 procurement plan, lists four infrastructure projects across the country. One of them reads: “Partial Construction of Beach Soccer Stadium at Chichomoni in Blantyre.”

The wording immediately caught the attention of social media users, who questioned how a beach stadium could be built in Malawi’s commercial capital.

“Will the stadium come with a lake?” one critic asked. Others joked that the facility would have to be built along the Mudi River, while some sarcastically suggested the Shire River at Zalewa.

The advertisement, dated 25 July 2026, invites eligible contractors to submit sealed bids for the project under procurement reference FAM/NCB/W/004/26.

According to the tender, the project forms part of FAM’s budgeted infrastructure works for the 2026 financial year. Bids are due by 7 August 2026.

While the wording has fuelled jokes, beach soccer does not require a natural beach. The sport is played on specially prepared sand pitches, and many countries have purpose-built inland beach soccer stadiums.

Nevertheless, critics argued that describing the project simply as a “beach stadium” in landlocked Blantyre was bound to attract ridicule.

FAM has not publicly explained the proposed design or whether the facility will be a permanent sand arena built to international beach soccer standards.

The tender also comes as FIFA, under president Gianni Infantino, is seeking support from member associations for a controversial investment proposal that could unlock up to US$40 million in football development funding for each association from 2027.

FAM president Fleetwood Haiya has not publicly commented on whether the proposed beach soccer stadium forms part of projects that could benefit from the new FIFA funding package.

Haiya has also remained silent on Infantino’s proposal, although FAM is widely expected to back both the investment plan and Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president.

FAM has not publicly explained the proposed design of the Chichomoni facility or why Blantyre was selected ahead of Malawi’s lakeshore districts. Critics argue that locations such as Salima, Mangochi or Nkhata Bay would have been more natural homes for a beach soccer stadium because of their access to sandy beaches. Others say the decision raises broader questions about how national sports infrastructure projects are distributed across Malawi.