The world governing body of football, FIFA, has inaugurated its major Africa office in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, further solidifying the North African country as the hub of its operations on the continent.
The state-of-the-art office, located at the Mohammed VI Complex, aims to enhance support for African federations in their development projects and underscores FIFA’s commitment to establishing a lasting presence in Africa.
The opening of this office follows the signing of a Host Agreement last December in Marrakech between key stakeholders: FIFA, the Kingdom of Morocco, and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
Rabat joins the ranks of other cities that host FIFA offices, including Paris, Miami, and Jakarta, reinforcing FIFA’s engagement with all regions and affirming its dedication to the development of football worldwide.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino remarked: “Today is certainly a wonderful day; it’s a special day, a glorious day, a joyful day. We will write, in gold letters, the wonderful history of FIFA, of football in Africa, of football in Morocco, and of football in the world.
“It’s an incredible and beautiful complex, and I want to begin by thanking Morocco, and His Majesty King Mohammed VI, for making this possible.
“It is a testament to a country that is looking towards the future, to a continent that is advancing into the future, and to the collective efforts we all make for this remarkable sport.”
The new office will collaborate with existing FIFA regional offices in Brazzaville, Dakar, Johannesburg, and Kigali, directing and implementing key policies for the development of African football at all levels.
Also in attendance were FIFA General Secretary Mattias Grafström, CAF President Patrice Motsepe and his General Secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba, FRMF President Fouzi Lekja, along with various Moroccan government officials.
Morocco has made extraordinary strides in recent years, both in terms of on-field performances and in hosting significant events. The North African nation is set to become the second African country to host the FIFA World Cup, jointly staging the tournament with Portugal and Spain in 2030.
