FIFA power struggle: Infantino reportedly seeks Morocco backing with World Cup final promise

Morocco has reportedly been offered the chance to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup final in Casablanca as part of an alleged attempt by FIFA president Gianni Infantino to secure support amid increasing pressure over his leadership.

According to British newspaper The Times, Infantino, who is currently in Morocco, has promised the kingdom the right to stage the tournament’s final at the planned Hassan II Stadium, provided Morocco publicly backs him as he faces growing calls for change at FIFA.

The reported development comes as Infantino attempts to strengthen his position ahead of the next FIFA presidential election, with opposition increasing following the collapse of his controversial commercial rights project.

Morocco’s World Cup ambition

Morocco has been pushing to host the 2030 World Cup final at the Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca, a proposed 115,000-capacity venue that is expected to become one of the largest football stadiums in the world once completed.

The stadium is competing with Spain’s Santiago Bernabéu as a potential venue for the final of the expanded tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Morocco, Spain and Portugal.

A successful bid would represent a historic moment for African football, with Morocco aiming to become the first African nation to stage the World Cup final.

Infantino faces growing opposition

The reported discussions come at a difficult moment for Infantino, whose support among some football stakeholders has reportedly weakened.

The Times claims the FIFA president is concerned about declining backing from some allies, including Saudi Arabia, which will host the 2034 World Cup.

Pressure has intensified after Infantino’s plan to sell a share of FIFA tournament commercial rights to private investors failed to gain approval, triggering criticism from several figures within the football community.

More voices call for FIFA president’s exit

Jordan Football Association president Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein accused Infantino of using pressure tactics to gain support for his re-election campaign.

Former Portugal international Luis Figo has also joined critics calling for the FIFA president to step down.

Figo described Infantino’s actions as:

“the most degrading, deceitful, and selfish” he had ever witnessed in football.

He accused the FIFA president of failing to deliver on his promises and prioritising personal interests over the development of the sport.

Wenger distances himself from controversy

The crisis also involved FIFA’s director of global football development, Arsène Wenger, who said he had no involvement in the abandoned commercial rights project.

The former Arsenal manager revealed that he only learned about the initiative through media reports and described the decision to withdraw it as “necessary and not open to discussion”.

Wenger said he supports an independent FIFA that operates with transparency and integrity, a position viewed as an attempt to distance himself from the controversy surrounding the organisation.

As FIFA’s internal battle continues, Morocco’s role in the 2030 World Cup preparations has become increasingly significant, with the Hassan II Stadium emerging as one of the key symbols of the country’s ambitions.