FIFA President Gianni Infantino was reportedly spotted in the picturesque hillside town of Chefchaouen in northern Morocco, as part of a private visit to the country.

Infantino, accompanied by family members, toured the famous blue-painted alleys of the town’s medina (market) and visited the central square, Outa El Hammam.

Morocco World News reports that local sources revealed that the FIFA president received a detailed briefing on Chefchaouen’s architectural significance and its place in Moroccan cultural history.

He also posed for photos with residents and praised the town’s beauty and warm hospitality.

The FIFA chief’s appearance in Chefchaouen comes on the heels of an earlier family stop at Taghazout Bay, a coastal resort near Agadir.

Although his trip has been officially described as personal, Infantino’s presence in Morocco has drawn public interest, especially in light of the country’s growing prominence in world football.

Morocco is preparing to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and is one of the three co-hosts of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, alongside Spain and Portugal.

Major infrastructure and stadium upgrades are currently underway across Moroccan host cities in preparation for the tournaments.

Earlier last week, Infantino was in Rabat for the official opening of FIFA’s new Regional Development Office for North and West Africa.

Situated adjacent to the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé, the new office will coordinate FIFA programmes throughout the sub-region.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe and the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa. The event was described as a landmark in FIFA’s ongoing collaboration with Moroccan football authorities.

Morocco has emerged as a key player in international football, thanks to its sustained investment in youth development, world-class facilities, and capacity to host major tournaments.

Infantino has previously highlighted the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maamoura as a model for football development worldwide.

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Sunday paid a visit to the newly reconstructed Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, describing it as one of the most modern and innovative stadiums in world football.

Infantino was accompanied on the inspection tour by the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaa. The FIFA chief commended Morocco’s commitment to sports infrastructure development, noting that the stadium reflects the country’s ambitions to position itself as a global football hub.

“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,” Infantino wrote in a social media post following the tour. “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.”

The old Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah

The original Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah was demolished in the summer of 2023 to make way for a state-of-the-art facility that aligns with Morocco’s aspirations on the global football stage.

The revamped stadium is expected to play a pivotal role in both continental and global tournaments.

The new Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah

Strategically, the stadium is slated to host one of the semi-final matches of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host alongside Spain and Portugal. It is also billed to feature prominently during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with plans to stage several high-profile matches.

Infantino’s visit underscores FIFA’s recognition of Morocco’s football infrastructure transformation, with the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium serving as a flagship example of the country’s modernisation drive in sports development.

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The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) officially inaugurated its Africa Office on Saturday at the state-of-the-art Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé, Morocco, marking a significant milestone in the governance and development of football on the continent.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino presided over the historic ceremony, which was also attended by Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) Fouzi Lekjaa, and a host of dignitaries and stakeholders from across the global football community.

Describing the occasion as a “historic moment” and “a day of celebration and joy,” Infantino emphasised the symbolic and strategic importance of the new office. “This will be inscribed in golden letters in the history of FIFA and football in Africa, in Morocco, and across the world,” he declared. He praised the world-class Mohammed VI Football Complex, calling it “an incredible and magnificent facility,” and thanked His Majesty King Mohammed VI for his visionary leadership in promoting football across Africa.

“The inauguration of the FIFA Africa Office is timely, especially as it coincides with the celebrations of the glorious Throne Day,” Infantino noted. “This is not merely a FIFA Africa Office we are inaugurating today. It is rather a global FIFA center, as it will have a worldwide impact on the practice of football.”

The FIFA President also highlighted Morocco’s growing stature on the world football stage, referencing the country’s upcoming role as host of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the next five editions of the U-17 Women’s World Cup, and as a co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. “The world will unite here in Morocco,” he added.

Speaking ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final between Morocco and Nigeria scheduled for later in the day, Infantino described the fixture as “a grand and beautiful celebration” of women’s football on the continent and lauded the Moroccan public’s deep passion for the sport.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe also praised the choice of Morocco as host of FIFA’s continental hub. “No better place could have been chosen for this office,” he said, while commending King Mohammed VI’s unwavering commitment to football development. He reiterated his belief in African football’s rising global status, citing Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as a sign of greater things to come.

FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa, in his remarks, traced the vision behind the Mohammed VI Football Complex to the leadership of King Mohammed VI, whose strategy, he said, is focused on youth empowerment and making Morocco a global center of football excellence.

“This Office reflects FIFA’s commitment to African football and the development of all its categories,” said Lekjaa. “Morocco has always been—and will remain—a country of tolerance and intercultural dialogue.”

The establishment of the FIFA Africa Office was formalised last December in Marrakech through a headquarters agreement signed by Morocco’s Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa during the 2024 CAF Awards ceremony.

With its official opening, the FIFA Africa Office is expected to serve as a vital nerve centre for football development, governance, and innovation across Africa and beyond.

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