FIFA has officially refuted claims made to AS that the final match of the 2030 World Cup was proposed to be hosted in Morocco instead of Madrid as part of an effort to secure African backing ahead of the upcoming elections. According to reports from The Times, this strategy was allegedly employed by the Swiss official to maintain the necessary support for his reelection campaign scheduled for March 18. Central to this controversy is a purported agreement with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which suggests that in return for the support of its 54 member federations, the decisive match of the World Cup would take place in Casablanca, overshadowing Madrid and Barcelona—two other cities vying to host the event as indicated in FIFA's official bid evaluation.
On Wednesday, Infantino convened with his close advisors in Rabat to clarify stances amid the ongoing turmoil and to devise a strategy aimed at recovering lost political capital. This capital had taken a hit following a failed initiative to sell a 20% stake in the World Cup and other FIFA-organized tournaments to various investment funds, one of which is reportedly linked to Donald Trump. Utilizing the venue of the 2030 World Cup final as a bargaining chip—an action that could simultaneously undermine UEFA, Infantino's main adversary—would signify a substantial pivot in his tactics. Historically, the Santiago Bernabéu stadium has been regarded as the frontrunner for hosting the final match, largely due to the solid relationship between Infantino and Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez.
However, Infantino's increasingly close relationship with Morocco and King Mohammed VI has begun to jeopardize the Bernabéu's favored status. The FIFA president's growing political influence in Morocco and among its allies—including Trump, the Emir of Qatar, and Mohammed bin Salman—has diminished his connections with Spain regarding this matter. Notably, the last direct encounter between Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Infantino took place during a brief visit to New York a year ago, and since then, Infantino has not visited Spain, particularly during the tenure of Luis Rubiales at the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). In contrast, Infantino has made four visits to Morocco within the last two years, established a local FIFA office, and scheduled the forthcoming FIFA Executive Committee meeting and election to be held in Rabat.
Within the RFEF, officials express confidence that the final will remain at the Bernabéu, their preferred venue over Camp Nou. Nonetheless, there is a growing sense of skepticism regarding FIFA's behind-the-scenes activities. Relations with the Moroccan Football Federation are also strained, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty regarding the event's ultimate location. As the internal dynamics of FIFA continue to shift, the future of the 2030 World Cup final remains precarious and unpredictable.
As reported by en.as.com.
