Morocco Takes Center Stage: FIFA Awards Five-Year Host Rights for Women's U17 World Cup

Wednesday 23 October 2024 - 10:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco Takes Center Stage: FIFA Awards Five-Year Host Rights for Women's U17 World Cup

In a significant development for women's football in Africa, FIFA has granted Morocco exclusive hosting rights for the next five editions of the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup, spanning from 2025 to 2029. The announcement came during the 46th General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his appreciation for Morocco's commitment to advancing women's football across the continent. "I thank Morocco for hosting the next five editions of this women's competition," Infantino stated during the assembly, emphasizing the tournament's potential to inspire young female athletes throughout Africa.

The inaugural tournament under this new arrangement is scheduled for October 17 to November 8, 2025, featuring an expanded format with 24 teams. In a notable shift, the competition will transition to an annual schedule, providing more frequent opportunities for young female footballers to compete at the international level.

Morocco's sports infrastructure is undergoing substantial development to accommodate both this long-term commitment and the nation's co-hosting duties for the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. The comprehensive upgrading project includes renovations to existing stadiums in major cities including Marrakech, Agadir, Fez, Rabat, Casablanca, and Tangier. A cornerstone of this development is the construction of a new 115,000-seat stadium in Benslimane.

Infantino highlighted the historical significance of these developments, noting that "the 2030 World Cup will return to African soil." These infrastructure improvements will also support Morocco's hosting of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

This series of successful bids represents a strategic positioning of Morocco as a major hub for international football events, particularly in the development of women's and youth sports. The consistent hosting of the U17 Women's World Cup is expected to create a lasting impact on the growth of women's football in Africa and establish new benchmarks for tournament organization in the region.

The initiative aligns with FIFA's broader goals of expanding opportunities in women's football and developing youth talent across the continent, marking a new chapter in African football's evolution on the global stage.