Sunday 03 July 2022, 09:15

FIFA President attends Women’s Africa Cup of Nations opener

  • Gianni Infantino was welcomed by Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) President Fouzi Lekjaa

  • FIFA President says Morocco is a country that knows how to organise a big event

  • Four teams qualify directly for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has attended the opening ceremony of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, which offers an unprecedented four automatic qualifying places to next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™. The FIFA President was welcomed in Rabat by Fouzi Lekjaa, the President of the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). They watched the ceremony, and opening match between the host nation and Burkina Faso, alongside the CAF President Patrice Motsepe at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. The WAFCON, with Nigeria as the defending champions, features 12 teams for the first time, emphasising the greater focus being placed on women’s football by both CAF and FIFA. Burundi, Botswana, Burkina Faso and Mali are all making their debuts at the finals.

FIFA President and CAF President attend the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations opening ceremony in Morocco

"Morocco is a great country, not only for football. It is a country that knows how to organise important events. This African Women's Cup is a competition that is very important to us and that is why I am here,” said the FIFA President. "The fact that CAF has chosen to play it here is a testimony to Morocco, to its capabilities and to President Fouzi who has managed the federation brilliantly. I am therefore happy and content to be here, to see the magnificent opening ceremony of this tournament and then a good football match as well.” The four semi-finalists qualify directly for Australia & New Zealand 2023 while the four losing quarter-finals will play off for two places in a 10-team interzonal play-off.