Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, has hailed the newly inaugurated Major Africa Office in Rabat, Morocco, as a significant milestone for the future of football on the continent and beyond. During the official launch, Infantino commended the Moroccan government and His Majesty King Mohammed VI for their pivotal role in bringing this ambitious project to fruition.
“This is undoubtedly a wonderful day—a special, glorious, and joyful occasion,” said Infantino. “We are poised to etch a remarkable chapter in the history of FIFA, African football, Moroccan football, and the sport worldwide.”
He went on to praise the “incredible and beautiful complex,” expressing heartfelt gratitude to Morocco and King Mohammed VI for making the establishment of the office possible. “This office stands as a testament to a country and a continent looking towards the future, reflecting the collaborative efforts we undertake for the advancement of this incredible sport,” he remarked.
The FIFA Major Africa Office, which was officially inaugurated over the weekend, solidifies Morocco’s position as the operational hub for FIFA on the African continent. Located at the Mohammed VI Complex, this state-of-the-art facility aims to enhance support for African football federations and foster development initiatives across the region.
The opening ceremony followed the signing of a Host Agreement in December last year in Marrakech, which formalised the partnership between FIFA, the Kingdom of Morocco, and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
Rabat now joins the ranks of other global cities, such as Paris, Miami, and Jakarta, in hosting a FIFA office, further illustrating FIFA’s commitment to fostering football development in all regions of the world.
The new office will work in concert with existing FIFA regional offices in Brazzaville, Dakar, Johannesburg, and Kigali to implement crucial policies aimed at promoting football at all levels across Africa.
Notable figures in attendance included FIFA General Secretary Mattias Grafström, CAF President Patrice Motsepe, CAF General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba, FRMF President Fouzi Lekja, and various Moroccan government officials.
Morocco has witnessed remarkable progress in recent years, both in its footballing achievements and as a host for international sporting events. The North African nation is set to make history as the second African country to host the FIFA World Cup, as it prepares to stage the tournament in partnership with Portugal and Spain in 2030.
