Temps de lecture: 2' The Africa office of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was officially inaugurated on Saturday at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé, during a ceremony led by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The event was attended by Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe, Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) President Fouzi Lekjaa, and several other dignitaries. «This is a historic moment, a festive and joyful day that will be etched in golden letters in the history of FIFA and African football, in Morocco, and across the world», said Infantino. «I thank His Majesty King Mohammed VI for the momentum he has given to the development of sport across the continent», Infantino said, adding that the royal commitment to football development is «truly unique». He went on to say that the Mohammed VI Complex, now home to the FIFA Africa office, has become a nerve center for African football and a symbol of a country, and a continent, looking toward the future. «What we are inaugurating today is not just a FIFA Africa office. It's a global FIFA center that will have a worldwide impact on the game», Infantino emphasized. The FIFA president also recalled Morocco's upcoming role in major international tournaments, including 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 Kingdom will co-host with Spain and Portugal. «The world will come together here in Morocco», he said. He also highlighted the significance of Saturday night's Women's Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Nigeria in Rabat, calling it «a grand celebration» of women's football in both Morocco and Africa, and praised the unmatched passion of Moroccan fans. CAF President Patrice Motsepe welcomed the opening of FIFA's Africa office in Morocco, saying, «There could not be a better place to establish this office». He expressed gratitude to King Mohammed VI for his continued efforts to promote football on the continent, noting that African football is now reaching a global standard. Reflecting on the performance of African teams at the last World Cup in Qatar, particularly Morocco's historic run to the semi-finals, Motsepe said he is convinced that African football is poised to dominate the global stage in the coming years. FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa emphasized that the Mohammed VI Complex, which now houses the FIFA Africa office, was made possible thanks to the enlightened vision of King Mohammed VI. He described the facility as the product of a broader strategy aimed at empowering Moroccan and African youth through sport. «This vision aspires to make Morocco a welcoming hub for talent from around the world», he said. Lekjaa added that the establishment of the office reflects FIFA's deep commitment to African football and the development of all its categories. He also reiterated that Morocco has long been, and will continue to be, a land of tolerance and a crossroads of civilizations. The agreement to establish the FIFA Africa office in Morocco was signed last December in Marrakech, on the sidelines of the 2024 CAF Awards ceremony, by Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa.
