The FIFA office in Africa was formally opened on Saturday at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé, during an event presided over by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The gathering included Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe, Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) President Fouzi Lekjaa, and various other notable figures.
“This marks a historic occasion, a celebration filled with joy that will be recorded in golden letters in the annals of FIFA and African football, specifically in Morocco, and globally,” stated Infantino.
I appreciate His Majesty King Mohammed VI for the energy he has brought to the growth of sports throughout the continent,” Infantino stated, noting that the royal dedication to football development is “truly one of a kind.
He added that the Mohammed VI Complex, which currently houses the FIFA Africa office, has evolved into a key hub for African football and represents a nation, as well as a continent, moving forward.
“What we are launching today goes beyond a FIFA Africa office. It is a global FIFA hub that will influence the sport on a worldwide scale,” Infantino highlighted.
The FIFA president also mentioned Morocco’s upcoming involvement in significant international competitions, such as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the next five editions of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the country will co-host with Spain and Portugal. «The world will gather here in Morocco», he stated.
He also emphasized the importance of Saturday night’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Nigeria in Rabat, referring to it as «a grand celebration» for women’s football in both Morocco and Africa, and commended the extraordinary enthusiasm of Moroccan supporters.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe expressed his approval of the inauguration of FIFA’s Africa office in Morocco, stating, “There could not be a better location to set up this office.”
He thanked King Mohammed VI for his ongoing initiatives to advance football across the continent, highlighting that African football is now achieving international standards.
Considering the performance of African teams during the previous World Cup in Qatar, especially Morocco’s remarkable journey to the semi-finals, Motsepe expressed his belief that African football is set to take control of the international scene in the years ahead.
The president of FRMF, Fouzi Lekjaa, highlighted that the Mohammed VI Complex, now home to the FIFA Africa office, was made possible due to the forward-thinking vision of King Mohammed VI. He referred to the facility as the outcome of a larger plan focused on uplifting Moroccan and African youth through sports.
“This goal aims to position Morocco as an attractive center for global talent,” he stated.
Lekjaa mentioned that the creation of the office highlights FIFA’s strong dedication to African football and the growth of every level within it. He also emphasized that Morocco has always been, and will remain, a place of tolerance and a meeting point for different cultures.
The deal to set up the FIFA Africa office in Morocco was finalized last December in Marrakech, during the 2024 CAF Awards event, signed by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa.
