FIFA denies claims Infantino offered World Cup final to Morocco in return for backing

August 6 – Embattled FIFA boss Gianni Infantino reportedly offered Morocco the final of the 2030 World Cup in return for African support for his Presidency.  

On Wednesday, Infantino held a crisis meeting in Rabat, Morocco, with FIFA directors to shore up support within his own organisation but also to tap into his powerbase in Africa.  

The FIFA Council members of Egypt, Niger, Mauritania, Djibouti and Morocco have expressed their continued support for Infantino, and according to The Times the FIFA supremo offered the final of the 2030 World Cup to Morocco, one of the tournament’s six co-hosts, as an incentive for their backing going into the 2027 presidential elections.  

In a statement to Spanish news agency EFE, FIFA’s media office however were quick to dismiss as “false and misleading” any suggestion that Infantino promised the right to the final to the Moroccans.  

Spain and Morocco are seen as competing for the final of the 2030 tournament, with Madrid’s Bernabeu and a yet-to-be-build venue in Casablanca considered as the frontrunners.  

Taking the notion of a mega-sporting event to an extreme, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Spain, Portugal and Morocco will co-host the 2030 World Cup. FIFA – and South American governing body Conmebol – are pushing for the tournament to be expanded to 64-team, even more so after a research brief was shared with all member associations.  

The FIFA boss has been under enormous pressure over plans to flog off the World Cup, which he had to abort. Europe’s support for Infantino has crumbled. However, Infantino has reportedly instigated a concerted effort to drum up support through scripted endorsement letters. 

Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, [email protected]