The construction of the Football Village in Mafra will be divided into three phases and work is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2024. The first phase will include the construction of three football pitches (two natural grass and one synthetic) and should be completed by 2026.

The second phase should be built between 2026 and 2028 and will include a pavilion and a beach football pitch. The estimated investment for these two phases is four million euros.

The last phase, which is scheduled to be built between 2028 and 2030, will include an accommodation unit and two more synthetic turf pitches.

The president of the Portuguese Football Federation, Fernando Gomes, has congratulated the AFL on the construction of the Vila do Futebol, which he considers “a landmark project” that will be a success in the future.

Fernando Gomes congratulated the Lisbon Football Association on the presentation of the project for the centre created for the Lisbon district teams and the clubs.

“When young people in sport reach this level of sport, they need a structure like the one being created here in Mafra, with all the commitment of Nuno Cárcomo Lobo [president of the AFL] and the support of all the clubs and leaders of the Association for such a remarkable project. It's not a Football City in its own right, but I'm sure we'll have national teams here doing their preparation work,” said the head of the FPF.

The president of the AFL, Nuno Cárcomo Lobo, thanked Fernando Gomes for the contribution he made so that the idea could go ahead.

The same sentiment was shared by the mayor of Mafra, Hélder Sousa Silva, who foresees that the work will not only represent a milestone for the AFL but also for the region itself and for the municipality over which he presides.

“The construction of the Football Village in our region is a source of great pride for us,” he said.