“Morocco is home to me. A country of passion, enthusiasm, and talent, where football is lived and breathed every day,” said Infantino upon his arrival. He praised the remarkable progress of Moroccan football, both men’s and women’s, and commended the leadership of the FRMF under Fouzi Lekjaa. “The organization, the performances, the talent… everything is exceptional,” he added.
This visit comes at a time of national excitement around football, following the resounding success of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Morocco, and just weeks ahead of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which the Kingdom is preparing to host. Infantino expressed full confidence in Morocco’s ability to deliver “an exceptional tournament on every level.”
The Moroccan stop may also signal a strategic shift for FIFA in North Africa. The FIFA President is expected to inaugurate the organization’s first regional office in the region, located in Rabat. It would be the fifth FIFA office of its kind in Africa, joining those in Dakar, Brazzaville, Kigali, and Johannesburg.
The project was officially confirmed in December 2024 during a ceremony held in Marrakech on the sidelines of the CAF Awards. The opening of the Rabat office would further strengthen Morocco’s role as an administrative, logistical, and sporting hub for FIFA on the continent.
Morocco’s growing presence in global football continues to solidify, the result of a strategic vision led by the FRMF and backed by the country’s highest authorities. With Gianni Infantino as both witness and partner in this momentum, Morocco is establishing itself more than ever as a global benchmark in the world of football.
Editorial team/le7tv