By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo
Morocco’s partnership with FIFA to install 30 FIFA Arena mini-pitches across the Kingdom represents more than an infrastructure project. It reflects a growing commitment to using football as a tool for youth empowerment, education and community building.
Announced at FIFA’s Africa Office in Maâmoura, the initiative brings together FIFA, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and government authorities in a shared vision to make football accessible to children regardless of background or location.
The mini-pitches will be placed primarily in schools and community centres, giving young people a safe and organised environment to play, learn and grow through football. FIFA officials say the facilities are designed to withstand heavy use while remaining accessible for daily training and recreational play.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has repeatedly stressed that football’s true power lies at grassroots level, where children first connect with the game. The Morocco project fits squarely within FIFA’s global plan to expand the FIFA Arena network to 1,000 mini-pitches by 2031.
For Morocco, the initiative adds another layer to its growing football identity, which already includes hosting major international events and investing heavily in elite training facilities. This project, however, shifts the spotlight to the grassroots, where future stars and lifelong fans are developed.
The first FIFA Arena pitch opened in Meknes late last year, serving as a model for the nationwide rollout. As more pitches come into operation, the impact is expected to extend beyond football, helping to foster discipline, teamwork and social cohesion among young participants.
The partnership highlights how football infrastructure, when strategically deployed, can shape communities and inspire the next generation far beyond the boundaries of the pitch.
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