FIFA Opens First North African Office Ahead of 2030 World Cup

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.