FIFA President Gianni Infantino Praises Morocco’s Football Achievements

Rabat, The Gulf Observer: FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrived in Rabat on Saturday, where he was warmly received by Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). The visit underscores Morocco’s growing stature as a global hub for football and its expanding role as a host of major international tournaments.

“I am very content and happy to be here. It’s always a pleasure to be in Morocco, a country that lives and breathes football every day,” Infantino said upon arrival in the Moroccan capital.

Highlighting Morocco’s impressive trajectory in global football, the FIFA President described the Kingdom as “one of the world centers of football,” citing the high performance and talent of both the men’s and women’s national teams. “The Moroccan men’s and women’s teams play extraordinarily well and have incredible talents,” he remarked.

Infantino also commended Morocco’s ability to organize major sporting events, praising its “spectacular” hosting standards. He lauded the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, which he said had been a resounding success both on the pitch and in terms of public attendance.

Looking ahead, Infantino emphasized Morocco’s significant role in upcoming global tournaments. The country is set to host five consecutive editions of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and will serve as a co-host of the historic 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.

In a previously recorded message played during the U-17 Women’s World Cup draw ceremony at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maâmora, Infantino referred to Morocco as “a fabulous country and land of football,” emphasizing its distinction as the first African nation to host the youth women’s tournament. He stressed the competition’s value in fostering emerging talent and offering young female players a global platform.

Infantino’s current visit may also include the inauguration of FIFA’s regional office in Rabat — its fifth in Africa and the first in North Africa. The office’s establishment was formalized through a protocol signed by Infantino during a previous visit to Marrakech in December 2024.

FIFA currently operates regional offices in Dakar, Brazzaville, Kigali, and Johannesburg across Africa, in addition to key international hubs such as Paris, Zurich, Dubai, and New Delhi.

Commenting on Morocco’s selection as the host for multiple U-17 Women’s World Cups, FIFA Tournament Sub-division Director Jaime Yarza pointed to the country’s outstanding infrastructure and deep-rooted football culture. “Morocco now has nothing to envy from major European countries,” he said, adding, “We are confident that Morocco will do everything to ensure the success of this event.”

Infantino’s visit reaffirms FIFA’s confidence in Morocco as a strategic partner in advancing global football, both in terms of talent development and event organization.