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

Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA since 2016, faces mounting pressure amid a crisis that has shaken the global governing body of football. At the center of the controversy are two prominent critics: Laura McAllister of Wales and Lise Klaveness of Norway, both members of UEFA's Executive Committee and the only women in that position. Their vocal opposition to Infantino’s leadership has sparked broader discussions about the future direction of world football and whether a woman could lead the organization. The crisis stems from Infantino’s failed attempt to push through the creation of a private company called FIFA Football Enterprises (FFE), which would manage the rights to major tournaments and operate under private equity investment. This proposal faced fierce resistance from UEFA and other continental confederations, leading to a wave of dissent within FIFA. Wales was among the first national associations to withdraw its support for Infantino’s re-election, and the disagreement quickly spread throughout the organization. An emergency meeting was scheduled in Morocco for Wednesday, underscoring the urgency of the situation. McAllister, who proposed a boycott of FIFA events during a recent UEFA emergency meeting, argued that the current turmoil reflects deeper governance issues within the organization. She pointed to several controversies that have eroded trust in Infantino’s leadership, including FIFA’s ties with the defunct European Super League project, political questions surrounding the World Cup, and the decision to overturn a red card shown to American player Folarin Balogun after U.S. President Donald Trump urged Infantino to reconsider the call. For McAllister, the conflict is also about protecting the core values of football. She emphasized that both she and Klaveness were guided by principles developed through their careers in women’s football before moving into football administration. “If football loses its values, it loses its heart and soul,” she said. “This is an existential crisis.” Both women argue that football should remain accessible to all, from grassroots players to elites, and should reach every corner of the globe, regardless of economic status. They oppose the idea of private capital buying into the sport and warn against political interference in how the game is run. Of FIFA’s 211 member associations, only 10 are currently led by women, including Klaveness. Any challenge to Infantino’s presidency would require support from associations outside Europe, and while Klaveness and McAllister have helped lead the resistance, McAllister cautioned against forcing the issue of female leadership. “We need to build momentum and continue building momentum,” she said. “Sometimes, a gentle approach is better because we can get there faster than trying to force a revolution.” Meanwhile, Infantino has been accused of making controversial moves to secure political backing for his re-election. According to reports from The Times, he allegedly offered Morocco the chance to host the 2030 World Cup final in exchange for public support. Morocco, along with Spain and Portugal, will co-host the tournament, and the final is a key desire for the host nation. However, Madrid is also seeking to host the final, with the Santiago Bernabéu stadium being the primary contender. If these allegations prove true, the decision on the final location would shift from purely sporting and organizational criteria to a battle for political influence within FIFA. Infantino’s attempts to maintain power have also drawn criticism from other leaders. Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, president of the Jordanian Football Association, claimed that Infantino had tried to exert pressure on his federation to secure support for his new term. These accusations add another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation. Infantino’s relationship with Spain has reportedly deteriorated, with his frequent visits to Morocco and close ties to King Mohammed VI, as well as connections with figures such as Donald Trump, Qatar’s Emir, and Saudi Arabia’s Prince Bin Salman, weakening Spain’s influence. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez last met with Infantino over a year ago, and Infantino has not visited Spain since Luis Rubiales left the presidency of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). Spain hopes the final will still be held at the Bernabéu, but growing distrust in FIFA’s processes and strained relations with Morocco have made this uncertain. The overall situation remains unclear, with internal conflicts within FIFA complicating efforts to resolve the issue. Infantino continues to rally supporters around the world, particularly in regions aligned with right-wing politics. He has recently met with leaders in Colombia, where he received support from several South American federations, including Argentina, Paraguay, Venezuela, and Ecuador. However, the question remains whether he retains enough support to survive the upcoming vote in March. As the debate over Infantino’s leadership intensifies, the role of UEFA becomes increasingly critical. If UEFA maintains its stance and unites with other organizations, including Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Iran, and the Middle East, it could significantly impact the outcome. The upcoming Women’s Under-20 World Cup in Poland on September 5 will serve as a crucial test of UEFA’s resolve, as its member teams decide whether to participate in the event. Whether they choose to boycott or not will provide insight into the strength of the resistance against Infantino’s leadership.