FIFA Opens Regional Headquarters in Morocco, Partners with Niger to Promote Inclusive Football Education

FIFA has opened its regional office in Rabat, Morocco and at the recently inaugurated building, FIFA signed a memorandum of understanding with Niger on Saturday.

The agreement marks the official launch of a pilot project under the global Football for Schools program, with Niger emerging as one of two African nations, alongside the Central African Republic, selected to pioneer this transformative initiative.

The signing ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Niger’s Minister of National Education, Literacy and Language Promotion, Dr. Elisabeth Shérif, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sidi Mohamed Almahmoud, and the President of the Nigerien Football Federation (FENIFOOT), Issaka Adamou. Also present was Colonel-Major Djibrilla Hima Hamidou, a member of the FIFA Council.

This agreement sets out a bold vision: to make football a central pillar of Niger’s educational framework. The initiative strongly emphasises teacher training, particularly in physical education, while integrating FIFA-developed educational content across various academic disciplines.

Special focus is being placed on the inclusion of girls, ensuring equitable access and participation in the program from the start. The Football for Schools program fosters life skills, teamwork, and civic values through structured sports activities.

Under the agreement, FIFA and Niger will collaborate to train teachers, organise intra- and inter-school tournaments, and implement a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to measure both educational and social outcomes.

The FIFA President Gianni Infantino noted that “Niger’s inspiring example,” stressing that the country’s experience could serve as a model for other African nations. He believed that ” football can truly transform societies, starting with schools .”

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