FIFA has officially inaugurated its first-ever regional office in North Africa, selecting Morocco as the host country for the new hub. This marks the fifth such office on the African continent, joining existing locations in Senegal, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and South Africa.

The opening ceremony, held in Rabat on Saturday, was presided over by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who hailed the event as “a day that will be written in golden letters in the magnificent history of FIFA, African football, Moroccan football, and world football.” Also present was Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe.

The launch comes as Morocco accelerates preparations to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. This milestone makes Morocco only the second African country to host football’s most prestigious tournament, following South Africa in 2010. The achievement follows five previous unsuccessful bids by the kingdom to bring the event to its soil.

Coinciding with the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final—also hosted in Rabat where Morocco faced Nigeria—the inauguration signals Morocco’s rising prominence in global football and its growing role in shaping the sport across Africa.