Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, is reportedly negotiating with Morocco to host the final match of the 2030 World Cup in exchange for the country’s support for his reelection. This proposition, revealed by The Times, comes at a time when Infantino faces significant pressure to resign due to his contentious plan to sell stakes in the World Cup, a move that has raised eyebrows and sparked controversy within the soccer community.
In light of his precarious position, Infantino is seeking a formal endorsement from Morocco, which has emerged as a pivotal player in his reelection campaign. Notably, Saudi Arabia, historically one of Infantino's strongest allies, has yet to publicly support him in this critical moment. This week, Infantino convened an emergency meeting with key staff in Morocco, aiming to consolidate his leadership amidst growing dissent and calls for his resignation.
Sources suggest he has pledged that the final of the World Cup will take place at the Hassan II stadium in Casablanca, which is currently under construction and will hold approximately 115,000 spectators. Infantino's push for support comes on the heels of a notable decline in backing from various football associations, including those from England and Wales, following a vote by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to boycott FIFA competitions as a protest against Infantino's failed private equity proposal.
As it stands, the 2030 World Cup is set to be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with the inaugural matches commemorating the tournament’s centenary to be played in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. Rafael Louzán, the president of the Spanish Football Association, has reiterated Spain's ambition to lead the 2030 World Cup, asserting that the final should unequivocally take place on Spanish soil. This sentiment has been echoed consistently, emphasizing a strong commitment to hosting the grand finale of this historic event.
The upcoming FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March 2027 in Morocco, and should Infantino secure another term, it would mark his fourth and final term as president. His previous plan, which aimed to sell up to a 20% stake in the World Cup to private investors, was intended to generate an estimated $4.2 billion but was met with fierce opposition from critics who argued it threatened FIFA's non-profit model and risked prioritizing shareholder interests over the integrity of the game itself. Recently, FIFA’s chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, expressed that staff felt misled by the opacity surrounding Infantino’s proposals, labeling it a “one-person” initiative. The backlash against Infantino is intensifying, with notable figures such as former soccer stars Luís Figo and U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham calling for his resignation.
As reported by forbes.com.
