FIFA Africa Office Opens in Rabat, Eyes Global Football Impact

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FIFA Emphasizes Commitment to African Football with New Regional Office in Morocco

FIFA President Gianni Infantino underscored the global impact of the newly inaugurated FIFA Africa office during a ceremony in Rabat, Morocco, projecting that the hub would substantially contribute to football's development worldwide. Set to open officially in 2025, this office will align with FIFA's ongoing strategy of enhancing local connections to its member associations, which total 211 globally.

Infantino highlighted the iconic Mohammed the 6th football complex in Rabat as a pivotal center for African and now world football, emphasizing its broader purpose beyond just being a sporting or academic facility. He expressed his deep gratitude towards Morocco, King Mohammed the 6th, and the Moroccan Federation, particularly praising Fauzi Lekja, for their roles in developing the sport in the region. He recognized the collective efforts of the 54 CAF member associations and their leaders, asserting, "Africa is FIFA, the rest of the world is FIFA."

The FIFA Africa office joins existing FIFA hubs in Paris, Miami, and Jakarta, reinforcing FIFA's mission of fostering football's growth on a global scale. Morocco, an increasingly significant player in international football, has seen its men's and women's national teams achieve new heights in recent World Cup performances. Additionally, Moroccan administrator Fauzi Lekja, a key figure in Moroccan and African football, leads various transformative football-related projects and initiatives, including Morocco’s involvement in the joint candidacy with Spain and Portugal for the 2030 World Cup.

With Morocco set to co-host the Centenary World Cup in 2030, a celebration billed as unprecedented, Infantino called for collective and continued efforts to ensure its success. He remarked on Morocco's strategic importance and its potential to impact global football through upcoming significant events like the Under-17 Women's World Cup and the 2030 World Cup.