FIFA President impressed by the Moulay Abdellah football complex, a “jewel of world football”

The President of the International Football Federation (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, toured this Sunday, July 27, the Moulay Abdellah Football Complex, which he described as a “jewel of world football.”

The head of the world football federation who shared a video of his visit to the Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat on his official Instagram account said he was very happy to take a tour of the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat “as it is set to become one of the most modern and innovative facilities in world football.”

“This stadium is definitely one of the most modern, efficient and beautiful arenas in the World projecting Morocco at the elite of the global game,” stated Infantino who was accompanied during the stadium visit by President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa.

“A football stadium today is much more than just a place to play football. It is a symbol for a country and a place to unite people, and this particular stadium is already a true jewel, showing the modern Morocco, a country projecting itself into the future and choosing football to unite the world,” FIFA President stated in his post.

FIFA Chief who is on a visit to Morocco, inaugurated on Saturday FIFA’s Africa regional office in Salé, and attended the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations hosted by the Kingdom July 5 through July 26.

During the inauguration of the FIFA regional office, Infantino said “this is a historic moment, a festive and joyful day that will be engraved in golden letters in the history of FIFA and football in Africa, in Morocco, and around the world,” emphasizing that the organization of the 2030 World Cup will be coordinated from this office.

He noted that “the inauguration of the FIFA Africa office comes at a perfect time as it coincides with the celebrations of the glorious Throne Day.”

“I thank His Majesty King Mohammed VI for the momentum given to the development of sport on the continent,” Infantino added, emphasizing that the Royal impetus for football development is “unique.”

Infantino further stated that the Mohammed VI Complex, which hosts the new FIFA Africa office, is “an incredible and magnificent facility,” and has become a nerve center for African football and a symbol of a country and a continent looking toward the future.

“What we are inaugurating today is not just a FIFA Africa office. It is rather a global FIFA center, as it will have a worldwide impact on the game,” he said.
The FIFA president also recalled that Morocco is set to host several major sporting events, including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the next five editions of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted with Spain and Portugal. “The world will unite here in Morocco,” he said.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe, who attended the inauguration ceremony, welcomed the inauguration of FIFA’s Africa office in Morocco, stating that “there could not be a better place to establish this office.”

He expressed his gratitude to King Mohammed VI for his ongoing efforts in support of football on the continent, noting that African football is of global standard.
Recalling the performance of African teams at the last World Cup in Qatar, particularly Morocco’s historic semi-final run, Motsepe said he is confident that African football will dominate the global stage in the years to come.

FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa underlined that the Mohammed VI Complex, which now hosts the FIFA Africa office, was realized thanks to the King’s enlightened vision, describing it as the result of a strategy aimed at fostering the development of Moroccan and African youth.

“This Vision aspires to make Morocco a land of welcome and convergence for talent from all corners of the world,” he said.
According to Lekjaa, the establishment of the office reflects FIFA’s interest in African football and the development of all its categories, recalling that Morocco has always been and will remain a land of tolerance and dialogue between civilizations.

The FRMF President expressed his gratitude to Infantino and Patrice Motsepe for their continuous support, stressing that the opening of this office “reflects the ongoing commitment to African football and represents an opportunity for joint efforts to develop all categories and elevate the game at all levels.”

Lekjaa also stressed that Morocco will continue to be a nurturing ground for the African continent, saying: “Morocco has been and will remain your second home. We will continue working together for comprehensive development, which naturally includes advancing football for boys and girls, in line with the values of openness and tolerance.”
This project further strengthens Morocco’s position as a regional hub for African football and aligns with the country’s ongoing preparations to co-host several matches of the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.

The headquarters agreement for the FIFA Africa office in Morocco was signed last December in Marrakech on the sidelines of the 2024 CAF Awards ceremony by Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, and FRMF President, Fouzi Lekjaa.