FIFA Opens First North African Office Ahead of 2030 World Cup

On Saturday, FIFA inaugurated its first regional office in North Africa, situated near Rabat, Morocco. This significant development comes just five years ahead of the highly anticipated 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

During the opening ceremony, FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the occasion as a landmark event in FIFA’s relationship with Africa and the broader football community. He emphasized the importance of this new office, which will serve as a crucial operational hub for the upcoming tournament.

Strategic Importance of the New Office

The facility is strategically located near the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maamora, reinforcing FIFA’s commitment to enhancing its presence on the African continent. Infantino highlighted that the Rabat office will facilitate logistical operations and support various initiatives leading up to the World Cup.

Notable figures in attendance included Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and FIFA Council Member. Their participation underscored the office’s significance in the context of African football.

This inauguration coincides with the final match of the 2025 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat, where Morocco is set to face Nigeria. The timing emphasizes Morocco’s growing role in international football, especially as it prepares to host the World Cup.

A Historic Milestone for Morocco

With this new office, Morocco becomes only the second African nation to host a FIFA World Cup, following South Africa’s historic tournament in 2010. Prior to this, Morocco made five unsuccessful bids to host the global event. The establishment of the Rabat office is seen as a pivotal step toward solidifying Morocco’s status in the world of football.

FIFA currently operates several regional offices globally, including four others in Africa: Dakar (Senegal), Brazzaville (Republic of the Congo), Kigali (Rwanda), and Johannesburg (South Africa). The new Rabat facility expands this network, emphasizing FIFA’s commitment to engaging with African football as it enters a transformative decade.