May 3 – Serbia has begun construction of its new national stadium with a breaking ground ceremony involving the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic,
Dragan Dzajic, president of the Serbian Football Union (FSS), the Ambassador of China in Serbia, as well as a number of other high-ranking figures from the Serbian government.
According to Vucic, the construction of the new facility should be completed by December 1, 2026. He added that the final of the Europa League will be played there in 2028 after “agreement” with the president of UEFA Aleksandar Ceferin. UEFA’s executive committee has still to formally approve the selection of 2028 hosts.
Infrastructure work for the stadium will be carried out by China’s Power Construction Corporation (PowerChina). The Serbian government will invest €350 million for the construction of the 60,000-seat stadium.
“This is not just a question of the stadium; it is a question of the lives of our people, a place where people will be able to take their children and grandchildren, where they will be able to enjoy themselves. For me, this is life, a dream come true. This brings us growth, higher salaries and pensions,” said Vucic, adding that Serbia has shown how it can compete with big countries.
As well as the football stadium, Vucic said that together with the facilities for the EXPO 2027 exhibition, it will represent a city within a city. The site will host three theme parks and 10,000 parking spaces.
“This is an important day and a big thing for Serbian football, above all for future generations, for children who will one day defend the colors of our national team. As a world metropolis, Belgrade deserved to have a National Stadium. This is a project of historical importance and I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, because without the help of the state there is no good infrastructure,” said the FSS’s Dzajic .
“People in Serbia love football and expect good results from the national team, expect something good to happen. With the new stadium, there should be victories, then the stadium will always be full.”
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1731266163labto1731266163ofdlr1731266163owedi1731266163sni@o1731266163fni1731266163