The race for the FIFA presidency has ignited earlier than expected, with Gianni Infantino seemingly prepared to leverage the 2030 World Cup final as a bargaining chip. Until recently, the prestigious match was set to take place at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, as previously claimed by Rafa Louzán. He stated, "Spain will lead the 2030 World Cup, and the final will be played here," signaling a strong belief in Spain's role in the tournament. However, this option has now become part of the negotiations that the Swiss leader is reportedly engaging in to secure his position at the helm of FIFA.
According to reports from The Times, the decision regarding the location of the 2030 World Cup final—which is to be co-hosted by Spain, Morocco, and Portugal—will not solely hinge on sporting or organizational criteria. Instead, it is also influenced by the intricate balance of power within the FIFA offices. The British newspaper asserts that Infantino has proposed to host the final in Casablanca at the future Hassan II Stadium in exchange for support from the African Football Confederation (CAF), which encompasses 54 federations with voting rights. This move could also serve as a counter to UEFA, which has threatened to withdraw from all FIFA-organized competitions if Infantino proceeds with his privatization plan for the World Cup.
Nevertheless, a FIFA spokesperson was quick to refute the claims made by the esteemed British outlet, stating, "It is false and misleading to assert that (Infantino) has made any promises regarding the organization of the FIFA World Cup 2030 final. FIFA will make a decision in due course." Meanwhile, the Spanish Football Federation has also found no evidence to support these claims.
Regardless, this maneuver comes at a particularly sensitive time for Infantino, whose position has reportedly weakened following the failure of his initiative to allow private investors into the commercial revenue streams of FIFA's competitions. Numerous committee members and some former football stars—like Luis Figo—have expressed opposition to his continued leadership of FIFA.
As reported by The Times, Infantino's overtures to Morocco are part of a strategy to rebuild a supportive majority ahead of the upcoming presidential elections. Rabat has emerged as one of Infantino's key international allies and is also set to host the FIFA Congress in March 2027, where the election for the organization's president will take place.
The possibility of the final moving to Casablanca would be a significant setback for Spain, as the Santiago Bernabéu had been regarded as the prime candidate for hosting the tournament's decisive match, although FIFA has yet to make an official announcement. The new Hassan II Stadium, currently under construction, is expected to accommodate around 115,000 spectators—an argument that Morocco has been utilizing for weeks to bolster its bid.
Beyond the sporting aspect, this information reflects Morocco's increasing political influence within FIFA's ecosystem. In recent years, Infantino has strengthened his ties with the Moroccan kingdom and King Mohammed VI. The FIFA president has visited the country multiple times, has facilitated the establishment of a permanent FIFA office in Rabat, and has chosen the Moroccan capital for significant institutional meetings.
Thus, the venue for the most important match of the 2030 World Cup, which seemed to be heading towards Madrid, is once again contingent upon a dispute that transcends the realm of football.
As reported by elcorreo.com.
