FIFA President Gianni Infantino encouraged Morocco and African football’s progress, in a press conference on Friday, ahead of the World Cup Final game.
Infantino described the Moroccan team’s campaign as “exceptional, extraordinary,” while he encouraged the work done by the country in developing the team.
“Reaching the World Cup final stages can’t be done by chance, it’s the result of their long term investment and efforts by the Federation all the way to the staff, the players and the coach, they showed that you can play attractive and effective football, so I congratulate them,” Infantino said.
Morocco reached the semi-finals, only for his World Cup title hopes to be thwarted by a clinical French team, in a match that ended 2-0 for France.
He added, “Senegal had a good World Cup, stopped by a magnificent England… Cameroon, Ghana, Tunisia, who were close to qualifying to the Knockout stages, but as a whole African Football has developed.”
Where he Considered Morocco’s World Campaign exceptional, Infantino said, “We’ve always been waiting for African football to develop, and questioning when will the time come for Africa, I believe it has come, the next World Cup will feature more African teams.”
The tournament’s format will change as 16 additional teams will be added, making up 48 in total. Four teams will be added to five for Africa, making up nine African teams to compete in the next tournament held in North America (USA, Canada, Mexico) in 2026.
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