World soccer governing body FIFA has opened its Africa office in the Moroccan capital, Rabat.
The event was held in the presence of the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe; the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaa; and several other prominent figures.
“This is a historic moment and a day of celebration and joy that will be inscribed in golden letters in the history of FIFA and football in Africa, in Morocco, and across the world,” said Infantino during his speech on the occasion.
He emphasised that “the inauguration of the FIFA Africa Office is timely, especially as it coincides with the celebrations of the glorious Throne Day,” adding that the Mohammed VI Football Complex is “an incredible and magnificent facility.”
“I thank His Majesty King Mohammed VI for the momentum he has given to the development of sport across the continent,” he continued, noting that the royal momentum to develop football is “unique.”
Infantino also stated that the Mohammed VI Football Complex, which now hosts the FIFA Africa Office, has become a vital hub for African football and a testament to a country and a continent orientated toward the future.
“This is not merely a FIFA Africa Office we are inaugurating today.
(Continuation 1) It is rather a global FIFA centre, as it will have a worldwide impact on the practice of football,” he asserted.
The FIFA President also recalled that Morocco will be hosting several major sporting events, including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for men, the next five editions of the U-17 Women’s World Cup, and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted with Spain and Portugal. “The world will unite here in Morocco,” he proudly stated.
He also underlined that the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations between Morocco and Nigeria, taking place this Saturday evening in Rabat, will be “a grand and beautiful celebration” of women’s football in Morocco and Africa, highlighting the Moroccan public’s unparalleled passion for football.
For his part, Motsepe welcomed the inauguration of the FIFA Africa Office in Morocco, stating that “no better place could have been chosen for this office.”
In this regard, he thanked His Majesty King Mohammed VI for his continuous efforts in favour of football on the continent, noting that African football is of global standard.
After praising the performance of African teams at the last World Cup in Qatar—particularly the Moroccan national team, which reached the semi-finals—the CAF president expressed his conviction that African football is destined to reign over the global scene in the years to come.
(Continuation 2) Meanwhile, Mr. Lekjaa emphasised that the Mohammed VI Football Complex, which hosts the FIFA Africa Office, was made possible thanks to the farsighted vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, explaining that it is the result of a strategy aimed at the development and flourishing of Moroccan and African youth.
“This vision aims to make Morocco a land of hospitality and a meeting point for talents from all over the world,” he said.
According to Mr. Lekjaa, this office reflects FIFA’s commitment to African football and the development of all its categories, recalling that Morocco has always been—and will remain—a country of tolerance and intercultural dialogue.
The headquarters agreement for the establishment of the FIFA Africa Office in Morocco was signed last December in Marrakech, on the sidelines of the 2024 CAF Awards ceremony, by the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa.
FIFA inaugurates its Africa Office in Morocco
On Saturday July 26, the Fédération Internationale de Football (FIFA) inaugurated the headquarters of its Africa Office at the Complexe Mohammed VI de Football in Salé, in a ceremony presided over by Gianni Infantino, who described it as “a historic moment and a day of celebration and happiness”.
“It’s not just a FIFA African Office that we’re inaugurating today, it’s rather a FIFA world center, because it will have an impact on the practice of soccer” on a global level, said Mr. Infantino, in the presence of CAF President Patrice Motsepe, FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa and several other personalities.
The main mission of the Africa Office is to support initiatives and projects aimed at developing and promoting soccer across the African continent. These include supporting the efforts of FIFA member associations, improving sports infrastructures, promoting women’s soccer and fostering sport-related education and training programs.
This inauguration “comes at the right time, especially as it coincides with the celebrations of the glorious Feast of the Throne”, declares Gianni Infantino, noting that the Mohammed VI complex is “an incredible and magnificent infrastructure”.
“I thank His Majesty King Mohammed VI for the impetus he has given to the development of sport on the continent”, insists the world soccer boss, adding that the royal impetus to develop the game is “unique”.
FIFA “could not find a better place to set up its office”, assures the President of CAF, who salutes the Sovereign’s unceasing efforts on behalf of soccer on the continent.
The royal vision “aspires to make Morocco a land where potential from the four corners of the world can meet and be welcomed”, adds Fouzi Lekjaa, reminding us that Morocco has always been and will remain a country of tolerance and dialogue between civilizations.
With the opening of the FIFA Africa Office, Morocco is strengthening its position as a regional hub for soccer. This initiative will help amplify soccer development efforts across the continent and ensure better coordination between the various players involved in the sport in Africa.
