Infantino Offers 2030 World Cup Final to Morocco in Desperate Bid to Save FIFA Presidency
Under mounting global pressure to resign, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reportedly offered Morocco the hosting rights for the 2030 FIFA World Cup final in exchange for the African nation’s public political endorsement.
The move comes as Infantino fights for his political survival following the catastrophic backlash against his controversial “FIFA Forward Enterprise” proposal—a plan to sell off 20% of World Cup commercial rights to private investors for $4.2 billion that has since been permanently abandoned.
Infantino convened an emergency crisis meeting with senior FIFA executives at the governing body’s regional office in Rabat, Morocco. Facing an unprecedented wave of dissent across international football, the Swiss-Italian executive is scrambling to secure his core base of support ahead of the FIFA presidential election in March.
According to a report by The Times, Infantino has offered the flagship 2030 World Cup final to Morocco—a joint host alongside Spain and Portugal—provided the Royal Moroccan Football Federation publicly declares its loyalty to his leadership.
The proposal threatens to trigger a major geopolitical dispute within the 2030 host partnership. Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Rafael Louzán previously stated that Spain remains the rightful venue for the tournament’s climax, insisting there is “no justification for Spain not to host the grand final of the Centenary World Cup.”
Infantino’s global backing continues to deteriorate rapidly across multiple confederations. The Football Association of Wales officially withdrew its support for Infantino, followed swiftly by Serbia and Sweden, with the English FA expected to take a similar stance.
At the same time, Infantino is seeking public backing from Saudi Arabia, hosts of the 2034 World Cup and long-time allies. However, Saudi officials have yet to issue a statement in his defense, adding to the anxiety surrounding his campaign. While member associations such as Indonesia have declared loyalty, the broader coalition that previously guaranteed Infantino’s control is rapidly fracturing.
Efforts by FIFA officials to rally high-profile “FIFA Legends”—paid global ambassadors including the likes of Ronaldo Nazário and Andrea Pirlo—have so far failed.
Instead, former Real Madrid and Portugal star Luis Figo became the highest-profile figure to publicly demand Infantino’s immediate departure, writing an uncompromising column for the Daily Mail.
“Infantino has debased the office of FIFA President that he promised to elevate. He has lied, deceived and tried to feather his own nest at the expense of the game he is supposed to serve,” Figo wrote.
“He has lost the support of his senior staff, his closest advisers, the vast majority of people who devote their lives to this sport and even, it would seem, the FIFA Peace Prize winner. It is too late to save his dignity, but it is not too late to save football. He should go. Now.”
With no major footballing icon willing to publicly defend the embattled president, sources close to the situation describe Infantino’s position as increasingly precarious as confederations weigh forcing an Extraordinary Congress to end his decade-long reign.
