FIFA to Open Africa Office Based in Morocco

2024-12-23

Morocco will house the headquarters of FIFA Africa Office, under the terms of an agreement signed on Monday evening in Marrakech.

Inked by Morocco’s Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) Fouzi Lekjaa, the agreement to host the African Office of the International Football Federation in Morocco falls in line with FIFA’s role in the advancement and promotion of football, while taking into account the universal, educational and cultural impact of the sport.

In addition, it aims to accompany and support all initiatives and projects aimed at developing football in Africa.

The signing of this agreement also reflects Morocco’s ongoing commitment to promoting football, and confirms FRMF’s key role as a member of FIFA.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Moroccan government and the FRMF undertake to implement measures to accompany and support FIFA’s projects. These include assisting FIFA with all the steps involved in staging its African Office in Morocco and making premises available to the office.

Both parties are also committed to facilitating the settlement in Morocco of the Federation’s foreign employees, and to assisting FIFA’s African Office with all administrative procedures required for its activities.

Speaking on the occasion, Akhannouch said that staging FIFA’s African Office reflects the trust put by international sporting institutions in Morocco, which just experienced a historic week following the Kingdom’s official nomination as 2030 World Cup host, alongside Spain and Portugal.

He also pledged that the Moroccan government would work to ease procedures involved in setting up and running the office.

For his part, Infantino welcomed signing the agreement for the headquarters of the FIFA Africa Office in Morocco, noting that the office would contribute to elevating Moroccan, African and world football.

“This is a historic and exceptional day for FIFA, for Morocco and for the whole of Africa”, he said.

Infantino seized the opportunity to express his sincere gratitude to HM King Mohammed VI, who, he stated, is tirelessly working to promote the advancement of football in Africa.

FIFA’s President also praised the growth of Moroccan football and efforts made in this field by the FRMF and the government.

In turn, CAF President Patrice Motsepe expressed his gratitude to HM the King, the Moroccan government and people, as well as the FRMF for the Kingdom’s contributions to African football, adding that CAF is proud of Morocco’s achievements, both on and off the pitch.

The agreement for the headquarters of the FIFA Africa Office in Morocco was signed at the Congress Palace in Marrakech on the sidelines of the CAF Awards 2024 ceremony.

MAP: 17 December 2024

Morocco’s Selection to Host 77th FIFA Congress Reflects Major Trust in the Kingdom – FRMF

Morocco’s choice as host of 77th FIFA Elective Congress confirms yet again the major trust put in the Kingdom, as well as its reputation in organizing large international gatherings, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) states.

Rabat will host the FIFA Elective General Assembly on March 18, 2027, marking the second time the Kingdom has organized this event, following the Ordinary General Assembly held in Marrakech in 2005, the FRMF adds in a press release.

Gianni Infantino, president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), announced on Thursday the selection of the capital Rabat to host the elective congress of its General Assembly during its 77th session, with the participation of approximately 2,000 people representing 211 national associations from around the world, the same source notes.

Members of the FIFA Council, meeting in Vancouver, Canada, unanimously approved this decision, the press release points out.

Morocco’s FRMF Endorses Infantino’s Candidacy for FIFA Presidency

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), chaired by Fouzi Lekjaa, announces its support for Gianni Infantino’s candidacy for the FIFA presidency.

In a letter of nomination and support published on its official website, the FRMF “officially endorses” Infantino’s candidacy at the elective Congress of world football’s governing body, to be held in Rabat on March 18, 2027.

In this regard, the FRMF wishes to clarify “that it exclusively supports Gianni Infantino for the position of FIFA President and, consequently, will not sign any other declaration of support for any other candidate for this position.”

This letter highlights the significant work carried out by Gianni Infantino and his team to promote African and global football, the FRMF emphasizes, expressing its determination to maintain its “fruitful cooperation” with FIFA bodies under the presidency of Gianni Infantino for the development and growth of football.

Morocco to Host 77th FIFA Congress in 2027

Morocco was selected on Thursday to host the 77th FIFA Congress, scheduled for March 18, 2027.

The announcement was made by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the 76th Congress of world soccer’s governing body, held in Vancouver, Canada.

Morocco, Key Player in LaLiga’s International Expansion – Pres. Javier Tebas

The Spanish league’s international reach is firmly anchored in Morocco, LaLiga President Javier Tebas emphasized in an exclusive interview with MAP, highlighting the historical, cultural, and sporting ties between the two countries.

According to Tebas, the Middle East and North Africa region is a strategic market for LaLiga, thanks to the enthusiasm of passionate fans. In this context, Morocco holds a special place, as it is linked through “a unique historical relationship, and I think that is also reflected in football,” he stated.

In this regard, the LaLiga president highlighted deep relations between the two countries in the sporting arena. “There have always been many ties, as well as a spirit of unity and mutual understanding between Spain and Morocco in the field of sports in general and football in particular,” he explained.

For LaLiga, the enthusiasm of Moroccan fans for Spanish football give s a decisive edge over other leagues such as the Premier League. Tebas believes that in terms of viewership in this region, LaLiga could even surpass its main English rival.

This advantage is driven by the two countries’ geographical proximity, intertwined history, and the recent meteoric rise of Moroccan football, which Tebas deems “well-deserved and hard-earned achievements.”

World Football Undergoes Quiet Revolution Under Infantino Era – Morocco’s Federation Head

World football is undergoing a quiet revolution under the era of Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, said Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).

“Overall, we are witnessing a quiet revolution in world football, a metamorphosis of FIFA,” Lekjaa stated in a video message broadcast on the Moroccan national team’s social media accounts on the occasion of the ten years Infantino has spent at the helm of the international football governing body.

“Speaking about Gianni Infantino’s record (elected on February 26, 2016) at the head of FIFA, I think it is clear to recall that what he has achieved is enormous. It is a complete transformation of FIFA,” Lekjaa emphasized.

“I would cite the total revision of FIFA’s governance, particularly regarding the clean-up of its finances, which has multiplied FIFA’s revenues and resources and subsequently made it possible to double and triple development efforts across all continents,” noted the FRMF president.

In the same vein, Lekjaa referred to “the revision and reforms related to competitions, starting with the men’s World Cup by increasing the number of teams, and extending to all competitions across all age categories, encompassing both men’s and women’s football.”

“Like all African and global federations, we have all benefited from the resources allocated to development, which has accelerated football development programs, whether in terms of infrastructure or technical supervision,” the FRMF head noted.

Morocco’s Football Federation Denies Reports on New Coach Appointment

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) denied Thursday reports circulated by certain media outlets on the appointment of a new head coach for the Atlas Lions.

In a press release, the FRMF said it “will inform the public opinion -as it has always done – of any updates regarding the national team in due course.”

Thursday 14 May 2026