The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) inaugurated its regional Africa office in Rabat on Saturday, in a high-level ceremony attended by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, CAF president Patrice Motsepe, and Moroccan Football Federation chief Fouzi Lekjaa, alongside senior African and international sports officials.
The launch follows a tripartite agreement signed in Marrakech on December 16, 2024, between FIFA, the Moroccan government, and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). The agreement is part of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening African football by providing institutional support, technical guidance, and training development for the continent.
Located near the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé, adjacent to the FRMF headquarters, the new office is the first of its kind at this scale in Africa, underscoring Morocco’s growing stature as a trusted strategic partner in continental sports development.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lekjaa emphasized that the facility is housed within a complex personally initiated by King Mohammed VI as part of a 26-year national football vision that has positioned Morocco as a hub for African talent, cooperation, and youth training.
He praised Infantino and Motsepe for their sustained support, stating that the opening “symbolizes an ongoing commitment to African football” and offers a platform for deeper collaboration across all levels of the game.
“Morocco was and will remain your second home. We will continue working together toward inclusive development, including football for both boys and girls, in line with the values of openness and tolerance upheld by the King,” Lekjaa said.
The opening further solidifies Morocco’s preparations to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
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