In a landmark moment that blended national pride with international recognition, His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco welcomed FIFA President Gianni Infantino to Rabat as part of the celebrations marking the 26th anniversary of his ascension to the throne.
The high-profile meeting not only underscored Morocco’s rising prominence on the global football map but also reaffirmed the deep and strategic partnership between the Kingdom and football’s world governing body.
A long-standing proponent of sports as a vehicle for unity, development, and international cooperation, King Mohammed VI has championed massive investments in infrastructure, youth academies, and regional integration through football. His vision has positioned Morocco as a continental leader in the sports sector.
These efforts have culminated in Morocco’s successful bid to co-host the historic 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal—a groundbreaking achievement for Africa and a testament to the Kingdom’s football diplomacy.
President Infantino commended Morocco’s dynamic progress, highlighting its growing influence in shaping the future of the sport across Africa and beyond.
Held on the symbolic occasion of Throne Day, the meeting further reinforced Morocco’s role as a key player in global sports governance, driven by shared ideals of unity, ambition, and inclusion—values central to both the reign of King Mohammed VI and FIFA’s global mission.
At the weekend, Infantino supervised the opening the FIFA African Office at the state-of-the-art Mohammed VI Football Academy Complex near Rabat before attending gracing the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations between host Morocco and Nigeria, which the latter won 3-2 for a record-extending 10th title.
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