FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended the inauguration of the Hôtel de la Marine, which will house the new office, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and French Football Federation head Noël Le Graët.

In a statement, FIFA claimed the launch of the office formed part of its aim to "make football truly global" - despite it being just 600 kilometres from its main headquarters in Zurich.

The building in the French capital, where world football's governing body was founded in 1904, will serve as one of FIFA's 12 regional development offices.

Its launch follows discussions with Macron and French public authorities.

"Our aim of making football truly global also means that FIFA itself needs to have a more balanced and global organisational set‑up," said Infantino. 

"Paris is a natural home for FIFA, not least since it was the original home of FIFA from 1904 to 1932. 

"It is one of the great and truly global cities of the world, well‑connected and easily accessible.

"France’s track record in football development is also second to none, and it is therefore also natural that much of the work of our Paris office will focus on football development activities. 

"We are very optimistic that we can achieve great things in Paris and are very grateful to President Macron and his whole team for the way in which they have worked together with FIFA in order to find us the perfect location to relaunch our Paris operations."