Infantino has made a controversial move, allegedly offering Morocco the World Cup final in exchange for a favor.

Gianni Infantino has found himself at the center of new controversy after reports surfaced suggesting he attempted to secure political support for his re-election as FIFA president through an unusual agreement with Morocco. According to information published by The Times, the FIFA leader allegedly proposed to Morocco the opportunity to host the 2030 World Cup final in exchange for public backing during an upcoming vote on his candidacy. This revelation has intensified scrutiny over the organization’s internal dynamics and raised questions about the integrity of its decision-making processes. Morocco, alongside Spain and Portugal, is one of the three nations vying to host the 2030 World Cup. The country has expressed interest in staging the final match at the Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca, which is projected to accommodate up to 115,000 spectators. However, the proposal appears to have been made under conditions that could undermine other candidates, particularly Madrid, which had previously been considered the favorite to host the final. The Santiago Bernabéu stadium, home to Real Madrid, was listed among the top contenders for the final match in FIFA documents. The situation has become even more complex following allegations against Infantino from Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, president of the Jordanian Football Association. He publicly accused the FIFA chief of attempting to exert pressure on his association to support Infantino's bid for re-election. These claims add another layer of tension within FIFA, where internal divisions have already been exacerbated by criticism of Infantino’s leadership and the failure of a controversial commercial rights initiative. According to The Times, the alleged deal involving Morocco would shift the focus of the World Cup final away from Madrid and potentially weaken the influence of UEFA, which has long supported Spanish bids. The proposal reportedly aims to leverage political alliances, including those with figures such as Donald Trump, the Emir of Qatar, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to bolster Infantino’s position ahead of the scheduled election on March 18. In recent days, Infantino met with close allies in Rabat, where he convened with key associates to address the ongoing crisis within FIFA and outline a strategy to regain lost influence. His efforts include attempts to sell a 20 percent stake in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to investment funds, some of which are linked to high-profile individuals. These moves reflect a broader effort to consolidate power amid growing opposition both inside and outside the organization. Spain, meanwhile, continues to hope that the final will remain in Madrid, despite the increasing distance between Infantino and Spanish officials. The last meeting between Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Infantino took place nearly a year ago, shortly after Luis Rubiales stepped down as head of the Royal Spanish Football Federation. In contrast, Infantino has visited Morocco four times in the past two years, including the opening of a FIFA office in Rabat and the hosting of the next Executive Committee meeting and elections there. The Spanish Football Federation remains optimistic about retaining the final at the Santiago Bernabéu, but rising doubts about FIFA’s transparency and fairness have cast a shadow over the process. Relations with Morocco, while improving, still lack the level of trust needed to ensure smooth collaboration. As the situation unfolds, the outcome of the upcoming vote and the fate of the 2030 World Cup remain uncertain, with the potential for further upheaval within the global football governing body.