Report: Infantino dangles 2030 World Cup final to Morocco to retain FIFA presidency

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has reportedly offered Morocco the right to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup final in exchange for continued political backing as pressure mounts on his leadership, according to a report by The Times.

The report alleges that Infantino promised Morocco the tournament’s showpiece match at the under-construction Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca, which is expected to become the world’s largest football stadium with a capacity of about 115,000 spectators.

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Morocco seen as key ally

According to The Times, Morocco has remained one of Infantino’s strongest allies during his presidency, with the FIFA chief seeking Rabat’s continued support as opposition to his leadership intensifies.

The newspaper reported that Infantino has been holding meetings in Rabat in an effort to consolidate support from football associations ahead of the 2027 FIFA presidential election.

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The reported move comes as the Swiss administrator faces increasing scrutiny following the collapse of his controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal and growing criticism over FIFA’s governance.

Leadership pressure grows

Infantino’s position has come under renewed pressure in recent weeks, with several football bodies and national associations distancing themselves from his leadership.

Among…