FIFA has launched a new Africa zonal headquarters in Rabat, Morocco, marking a new step in the organization’s efforts to support football development across the continent.
The office is located at the Mohammed VI Football Complex and will act as a central point for FIFA’s operations in Africa.
This move comes after a Host Agreement was signed in December 2023 between FIFA, the Moroccan government, and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
The agreement strengthens the working relationship between Morocco and the global football authority.
The Rabat office becomes one of FIFA’s international offices, joining locations such as Paris, Miami, and Jakarta.
It will work alongside regional offices already based in Dakar, Johannesburg, Kigali, and Brazzaville.
The aim is to improve support for national football federations, help manage development programs, and carry out projects that promote the growth of football throughout Africa.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended the launch ceremony, joined by top football and government officials from both Morocco and the wider African region.
The event took place at the same complex that houses Morocco’s top football training and administration facilities.
Morocco’s increasing role in global football has made it a natural choice for this new base.
The country reached the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, making history as the first African and Arab nation to do so.
Looking ahead, Morocco will co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal — becoming the second African country to host the tournament after South Africa in 2010.
The Rabat hub will help carry out FIFA’s plans on the continent, including projects in grassroots football, women’s football, coach education, and infrastructure development.
It will also support better coordination between national federations and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
This new office is expected to strengthen partnerships, improve access to resources, and help raise the overall quality of football in Africa.