Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, has reportedly made a deal with Morocco to secure support for his re-election amid growing criticism over his controversial proposal to sell shares of World Cup commercial rights to private investors. According to The Times, Infantino offered Morocco the chance to host the final match of the 2030 World Cup in exchange for backing his bid to remain in power until 2031. The claim comes after Infantino faced widespread backlash following the withdrawal of his plan to create a joint venture called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to manage the commercial rights of both men’s and women’s World Cups. The initiative was abandoned after major football confederations, including UEFA, Concacaf, and AFC, strongly opposed it, citing concerns over private investment and potential conflicts of interest. Infantino convened an emergency meeting with senior officials of FIFA outside the Moroccan capital of Rabat this Wednesday. The gathering followed mounting pressure from several nations and organizations that had previously supported him. The proposed sale of up to 20 percent of FFE to private funds, valued at $20 billion, raised eyebrows due to the involvement of Thrive Capital, a firm linked to Jared Kushner, who is married to Donald Trump’s daughter, Ivanka. This connection fueled speculation about undue influence and prompted further scrutiny of the project. Despite the controversy, Infantino remains determined to extend his tenure as FIFA president. He is set to face re-election at the organization's 77th Congress in March 2026, which would see his term extended from 2016 to 2031. His position has been weakened by the withdrawal of support from key allies, including England, Wales, Serbia, and Finland. Notably, Spain’s Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), which holds current world titles in both men’s and women’s football, has remained silent on the issue, despite internal discussions about the proposal. Morocco, one of the co-hosts of the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, appears to have played a pivotal role in Infantino’s strategy. The country, which has long been a close ally of the Swiss leader, is seeking to host the final in Casablanca’s Hassan II Stadium, while Spain favors Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu. The decision on the venue remains uncertain, adding another layer of complexity to the situation. The alleged offer to Morocco has sparked debate within the football community. Former Portuguese international Luis Figo criticized Infantino in a column published in the Daily Mail, calling for his resignation and accusing him of acting in self-interest. Figo described Infantino’s behavior as dishonest and cowardly, stating that such conduct should not be part of the future of the sport. FIFA denied the claims made by The Times shortly after the emergency meeting in Rabat. A spokesperson stated that the allegations were "false and misleading," emphasizing that decisions regarding the 2030 World Cup final location will be made "at the appropriate time." Despite these denials, the timing of the meeting and the choice of Morocco as its venue suggest that Infantino is actively seeking alliances to bolster his position ahead of the upcoming elections. Meanwhile, European leagues, represented by the European Leagues organization, continued to criticize FIFA’s opaque decision-making processes. They expressed concern over the possibility of expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, a move that could significantly alter the structure of the tournament. These criticisms add to the growing list of challenges facing Infantino as he seeks to navigate through the current crisis. In addition to the political maneuvering, the recent deaths of at least 141 migrants attempting to cross the border from Morocco to Spain have added urgency to the discussion around the co-hosting arrangement. The Spanish left-wing party Sumar has proposed a non-binding resolution urging the government to reconsider the shared hosting model, highlighting the broader implications of the decision beyond football politics. As the situation unfolds, the outcome of the upcoming FIFA elections will depend largely on whether Infantino can successfully rally enough support to ensure his re-election. With multiple factions within the global football community questioning his leadership, the coming months will be crucial in determining the future direction of the sport’s governing body.
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