Morocco: Houssine Kharja backs Fouzi Lekjaa as ‘best’ FRMF president in history

Former Morocco captain Houssine Kharja has strongly backed Fouzi Lekjaa to continue as president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), describing him as the best leader the organisation has had.

Kharja also defended FIFA president Gianni Infantino amid an increasingly public disagreement between world football’s governing body and European football authorities.

The former Atlas Lions midfielder, who is now FIFA’s regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, dismissed speculation that he could be in line to succeed Lekjaa at the FRMF.

Speaking to Moroccan football platform Soccer212, Kharja made it clear that he would rather see Lekjaa remain in the position he has held since 2014.

Kharja praises Lekjaa’s record

“In relation to the presidency of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football, I have only one thing to say: we currently have the best president the federation has ever known,” Kharja said.

“Fouzi Lekjaa is someone for whom I have great esteem and deep respect, and with whom I have an excellent relationship. I believe that, to date, he has done remarkable work at the head of the federation, from the youth national teams to the senior side, as well as in women’s football.”

Kharja said Lekjaa’s passion and competence would make him difficult to replace, effectively putting to rest suggestions that he could be preparing for a future move into the FRMF presidency.

Lekjaa has been at the helm of Moroccan football since 2014 and is also a member of the FIFA Council.

During his tenure, Morocco’s national teams have enjoyed a period of unprecedented success, strengthening the country’s position among Africa’s leading football nations.

The senior men’s side made history at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by becoming the first African and Arab team to reach the semi-finals.

Morocco also won its first Olympic football medal at Paris 2024 before the country’s Under-20 side claimed the FIFA U-20 World Cup title in 2025, beating Argentina 2-0 in the final.

Kharja backs Infantino

Kharja also turned his attention to the growing dispute between FIFA and UEFA, defending Infantino against criticism surrounding the collapse of the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise project.

The initiative was withdrawn after opposition from European football authorities, with UEFA raising concerns over governance, transparency and consultation.

Kharja believes the disagreement goes beyond the proposed investment and reflects competing visions for the future of world football.

“The issue is fundamentally simple: Infantino is working according to a global vision of football, while Europe wants to maintain its absolute monopoly and continue to be the primary decision-maker in the game,” Kharja said.

“This is where the real conflict between UEFA and FIFA lies. It is not about money or anything else.”

According to Kharja, FIFA’s efforts to increase investment in football outside Europe’s traditional power centres have helped smaller nations become more competitive.

He cited Morocco’s ability to attract players of dual nationality who have been developed in European academies as an example of the changing international football landscape.

CAF support strengthens African position

Kharja said his close working relationship with Infantino had given him a different perspective on the criticism directed at the FIFA president.

He also questioned what he sees as a double standard in European football, arguing that private investment is widely accepted at European club level while similar investment linked to FIFA has faced opposition.

UEFA has rejected that characterisation, saying its concerns over FIFA Forward Enterprise were focused on governance, transparency and a lack of consultation. The European governing body said its 55 national associations had unanimously rejected the proposal and later said FIFA’s current leadership had lost its confidence.

FIFA eventually withdrew the project, which could have generated up to $4.2bn through private investment in a new commercial subsidiary.

Following an emergency leadership meeting in Rabat, FIFA acknowledged mistakes in the process and announced an internal review, while its senior management reaffirmed its support for Infantino.

The FIFA president continues to enjoy significant backing in Africa, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) unanimously renewing its support for him and praising his contribution to the development of football on the continent.

With CAF representing 54 FIFA member associations, its position could prove important ahead of the 2027 FIFA presidential election, which will be held in Morocco.

For Kharja, however, the immediate priority is clear: Morocco’s football leadership should remain in the hands of Lekjaa, whose tenure has coincided with the country’s emergence as one of Africa’s strongest football powers.