According to a report by The Times, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has allegedly promised Morocco that it will host the final of the 2030 World Cup, in exchange for support that could help him regain his footing in the power dynamics within the football governing body. This information was attributed to an anonymous source, raising eyebrows about the ethical implications of such promises in the world of sports governance.

In response to these claims, FIFA quickly issued a denial, stating, "It is incorrect and misleading to assert that the FIFA President made any promises concerning the hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2030 final. A decision will be made by FIFA in due course," as per their statement following inquiries from the press.

Infantino, who recently conducted a crisis meeting with senior staff at FIFA's Africa office in Salé, near the Moroccan capital of Rabat, is reportedly facing significant pressure after his failed attempt to sell stakes in FIFA tournaments to private investors. In light of this, he is actively seeking public declarations of support from various countries. Notably, the European football governing body UEFA has distanced itself from the embattled FIFA leader, and several close aides have publicly distanced themselves from Infantino, who succeeded Joseph S. Blatter.

The 2030 World Cup is set to take place across three continents, with the majority of matches scheduled to be held in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. For a long time, the newly renovated Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid was considered the prime venue for the final match. However, Morocco's government is currently constructing the Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca, which will have a capacity of 115,000, making it the largest football stadium in the world upon completion.

Questions surrounding the final venue remain unresolved, as do discussions about the tournament's format. Following the recent World Cup held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, which featured 48 national teams for the first time, Infantino is pushing for an expansion to 64 teams for the next tournament in four years.

As the saga surrounding FIFA President Gianni Infantino continues to unfold, one dramatic development follows another. The current situation raises critical questions about the future of FIFA's leadership and the broader implications for the sport of football.

As reported by sueddeutsche.de.