FIFA has officially inaugurated its first regional office in North Africa, located near Rabat, Morocco. The opening took place on Saturday, marking a significant expansion of FIFA’s presence just five years before the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, described the occasion as a milestone for FIFA’s engagement with Africa and the global football community. He emphasized that this new office, situated near the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maamora, will play a crucial role in the operational logistics for the upcoming tournament.

Strategic Significance and Local Engagement

The inauguration ceremony attracted key figures in the football community, including 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 attendance highlighted the importance of the new office, which opens just hours before the final match of the 2025 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where Morocco faces Nigeria.

This initiative positions Morocco as only the second African nation to host a FIFA World Cup, following South Africa‘s historic tournament in 2010. Morocco previously made five unsuccessful bids to host the event, making this latest development a significant achievement for the nation.

Expanding FIFA’s Global Network

FIFA currently operates several regional offices worldwide, including four in Africa: Dakar (Senegal), Brazzaville (Republic of the Congo), Kigali (Rwanda), and Johannesburg (South Africa). The establishment of the Rabat facility enhances FIFA’s footprint in Africa, which is seen as a pivotal period for the continent’s football development.

Infantino reaffirmed FIFA’s commitment to fostering football in Africa, stating that the new office will facilitate closer collaboration with local football authorities and organizations. This strategic move reflects FIFA’s dedication to enhancing the sport’s infrastructure and visibility in the region.

As the countdown to the 2030 World Cup continues, the establishment of the Rabat office signifies a new chapter in FIFA’s efforts to engage with African nations and promote football on the continent.

FIFA inaugurated its first permanent office in North Africa on March 16, 2024, near Rabat, Morocco. This significant development comes just five years before Morocco co-hosts the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. The new office aims to enhance FIFA’s operational capacity in the region as the tournament approaches.

Significance of the New Office

During the opening ceremony, FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the event as a milestone that marks a new chapter in FIFA’s relationship with Africa and the global football community. He emphasized the importance of the office, stating it will serve as a crucial operational hub for the upcoming World Cup.

Located near the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maamora, this new facility strengthens FIFA’s presence in Africa, which is significant for the organization as it prepares for a pivotal decade for football on the continent. Infantino highlighted that this initiative reflects FIFA’s commitment to developing the sport across Africa.

High-Profile Attendance and Context

The inauguration was attended by notable figures, including Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and FIFA Council Member. Their presence underscored the strategic importance of this new office, especially as it coincided with the 2025 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, where Morocco faced Nigeria.

Morocco now becomes only the second African nation to host a FIFA World Cup, following South Africa’s historic tournament in 2010. This achievement comes after five previous unsuccessful bids, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s sporting history.

FIFA currently operates several regional offices worldwide, including four in Africa: Dakar (Senegal), Brazzaville (Republic of the Congo), Kigali (Rwanda), and Johannesburg (South Africa). The addition of the Rabat facility expands this network, reinforcing FIFA’s commitment to fostering football development in the region.

The establishment of this office is expected to facilitate greater collaboration between FIFA and local football authorities, ultimately enhancing the overall experience for players, teams, and fans during the World Cup and beyond.

Barcelona will proceed with its scheduled pre-season friendly match against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo on Sunday, July 30, 2023. This comes after the Spanish football club initially announced the suspension of the game due to what it termed “serious contractual breaches” by the promoter.

Earlier in the week, Barcelona stated that it had to “suspend its participation in the game” because of these unspecified issues. The club, one of the most prestigious in the world, was set to play against Vissel Kobe before travelling to South Korea for matches against FC Seoul on August 4 and Daegu FC on August 8.

Contractual Issues Resolved

In a statement released on Friday, Vissel Kobe confirmed that following “careful discussions with the relevant parties,” the match will take place as planned. The Japanese team emphasized that they had been coordinating with their owner to resolve the “contractual issues” that initially threatened the match.

Vissel Kobe holds a special connection to Barcelona, as former player Andres Iniesta spent the final years of his illustrious career with the Japanese club. The match against Barcelona is much anticipated by fans, given the club’s international stature.

Barcelona also shared their excitement on social media, posting a video of the team arriving in Japan with the caption “Konnichiwa, Japan!” In another post, they expressed their enthusiasm, stating, “We are really excited to be in Japan.” This confirms the club’s eagerness to engage with its fans and showcase its talent in the region.

Upcoming Matches

Following the friendly against Vissel Kobe, Barcelona will continue its pre-season tour in South Korea. The team is scheduled to face FC Seoul on August 4 and Daegu FC on August 8, as they prepare for the upcoming season. The matches are part of Barcelona’s strategy to enhance its international presence and strengthen relationships with fans across Asia.

As the friendly approaches, both teams and their supporters look forward to an exciting display of football, highlighting the global reach and influence of the sport.

Barcelona will proceed with a pre-season friendly match against J-League side Vissel Kobe on July 30, 2023, in Tokyo, following a resolution of earlier contractual disputes. This comes after the Spanish club had initially announced the suspension of the game due to what they described as “serious contractual breaches” by the promoter.

Match Schedule and Context

The friendly was originally scheduled as part of Barcelona’s pre-season tour, which also includes matches in South Korea against FC Seoul on July 31 and Daegu FC on August 4. Vissel Kobe confirmed the match will be held as planned after engaging in discussions with all relevant parties.

In a statement released on Friday, Vissel Kobe acknowledged the existence of “contractual issues” but emphasized their commitment to ensuring the match takes place. They mentioned collaborating with their owner to coordinate with Barcelona and address the concerns raised.

Barcelona’s Enthusiasm for Japan

Barcelona expressed excitement about their visit to Japan, sharing a video on social media of the team arriving in the country. Their post included the message, “Konnichiwa, Japan!” alongside a declaration of their eagerness to engage with fans and play the upcoming match.

Vissel Kobe, notable for having hosted former Barcelona and Spain star Andrés Iniesta at the end of his career, is looking forward to welcoming the Catalan giants. This match not only highlights the ongoing collaboration between Japanese and European football but also offers fans a chance to witness high-level competition.

As both teams prepare for the encounter, the resolution of the contractual issues reflects the importance of transparency and communication in international sports events. This match promises to be an exciting occasion for football enthusiasts in Japan.