Morocco has taken centre stage in African football as FIFA officially opened its first-ever continental headquarters in Rabat on 26 July 2025. This milestone marks a strategic move to deepen FIFA’s engagement with African football and to better support the sport’s growth across the continent.
Far beyond a mere administrative outpost, the new office in Rabat is designed as a dynamic operational hub, fostering closer collaboration with national football federations. Its mission: to deliver hands-on assistance in key areas such as infrastructure development, coaching and training, and governance improvements.
The choice of Morocco as the host country is far from coincidental. The Kingdom has emerged over recent years as a beacon of sports investment and football excellence in Africa. With flagship projects like the Mohammed VI Football Complex and the rising success of its clubs on the continental stage, Morocco has firmly positioned sport — and football especially — as a powerful tool of both national pride and regional influence.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s presence at the inauguration underlined the significance of this step. The new regional office not only elevates Morocco’s role within international sports decision-making but also promises tangible benefits for football ecosystems across Africa through enhanced technical support and resource mobilisation.
By establishing Rabat as a strategic hub, FIFA aims to strengthen ties with African football bodies and create a platform for sharing expertise and best practices — drawing heavily on Morocco’s experience in sports development and management.
This landmark move signals a new chapter in Africa’s football journey, with Morocco at the heart of efforts to boost the sport’s infrastructure, governance, and competitive stature across the continent.
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