Also attending were the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, and the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaa, along with several prominent figures from the global football community.
Infantino emphasized the significance of the occasion coinciding with Morocco’s Throne Day celebrations and praised the Mohammed VI Football Complex as “an incredible and magnificent infrastructure.” He extended appreciation to King Mohammed VI for his “impetus given to the development of sport on the continent,” describing the monarch’s vision as “unique.”
The new FIFA Africa office, housed within the sprawling and cutting-edge football complex, is expected to serve not just the continent but have “a global impact on the practice of football,” Infantino added.
“This is not just a FIFA Africa Office that we are inaugurating today. It is rather a FIFA global center.”
He also highlighted Morocco’s growing role as a hub for international sports, noting its hosting of major upcoming tournaments, including the Men’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2025, five future editions of the Under-17 Women’s World Cup, and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host alongside Spain and Portugal. “The world will unite here in Morocco,” he said.
As anticipation builds for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Nigeria in Rabat, Infantino described it as “a great and beautiful celebration” of women’s football, praising the Moroccan public’s unrivaled passion for the game.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe echoed the sentiment, stating, “It could not find a better place to set up its office,” and applauded King Mohammed VI for his enduring support for football. He reaffirmed that African football, especially after Morocco’s historic semi-final run in the Qatar 2022 World Cup, is poised to dominate the global stage.
FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa attributed the establishment of the complex and FIFA office to King Mohammed VI’s “far-sighted vision” for empowering youth through sport. “This vision aims to make Morocco a welcoming land and a meeting place for potential from all corners of the world,” he said.
He emphasized the significance of the move as a symbol of FIFA’s commitment to African football and to fostering unity through sport. The agreement to establish the FIFA Africa Bureau in Morocco was signed in December 2024 in Marrakech during the CAF Awards ceremony.
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