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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has signed an agreement with the Moroccan government and the country’s football federation to open the FIFA Africa Office in Rabat, a major step for the continent ahead of the 2030 World Cup.
The signing took place in Marrakech, with Morocco’s Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, Moroccan FA President Fouzi Lekjaa, and CAF President Patrice Motsepe in attendance.
The office will serve as FIFA’s African headquarters, focusing on football development across the continent.
“We know how welcoming the people of Morocco are. From Rabat, we will shape the future of African football,” said Infantino. “This will not only impact Africa, but the whole football world.”
The announcement was made at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.
Infantino praised Morocco’s football progress, highlighting the men’s historic 2022 World Cup semi-final finish, the women’s 2023 World Cup debut, and the bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics.
This move follows Morocco’s confirmation as a co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup™ with Portugal and Spain making it only the second African nation to host the event after South Africa in 2010.
Morocco is also set to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and five straight editions of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ starting next year.
Infantino also showed support for African clubs heading to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup™ in the U.S.: Espérance de Tunis, Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Wydad AC.
At the CAF Awards in Marrakech, Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman were named Women’s and Men’s Players of the Year.
CAF also honoured Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Cameroonian President Paul Biya for their contributions to African football.
“This is a historic, joyful, and glorious moment,” Infantino said. “We are not just building an office, we are uniting Africa, uniting the world, and spreading joy through football.”
