FIFA president Gianni Infantino is reportedly scrambling amid calls he should resign from his position. After multiple associations pulled support for Infantino, the FIFA president reportedly told Morocco it could host the 2030 World Cup final if it offers a statement of support for Infantino's re-election bid in 2027, per The Times.
Morocco is one of three countries — the other two being Spain and Portugal — set to host the 2030 World Cup. Earlier in 2026, Spain's FA president Rafael Louzán said the country will "be the leader of the 2030 World Cup and the final of that World Cup will be here," per The Times.
Infantino is said to be concerned that he has not received public support from Saudi Arabia, which has previously been among his strongest backers, per The Times. Because of that, Infantino is trying to rally support for his re-election bid. Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2034 World Cup.
Morocco has also been among Infantino's strongest allies in the years since he took over the role as FIFA's president.
FIFA refutes report, claims support of Infantino by board members
FIFA denied the report of a quid pro quo offer from Infantino to Morocco in a statement on social media.
"It is false and misleading to claim the FIFA President has made any promise in relation to hosting the FIFA World Cup 2030 Final. A decision will be made by FIFA in due course."
Morocco's FA has not issued a public response to the report.
FIFA also issued a separate news release touting a "constructive and positive meeting" in Morocco Wednesday among FIFA leadership in support of Infantino. Infantino reportedly called the emergency meeting Tuesday to address the mounting wave of criticism against himself and FIFA.
In the news release, FIFA stated that "the FIFA Secretary General and members of the FIFA Management Board in attendance reaffirmed their full support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino."
Other than FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström, the statement did not clarify which board members were and were not in attendance at Wednesday's meeting.
Waning support for Infantino
The report comes just days after the Welsh, Swedish and Serbian FAs said they would not support Infantino's re-election bid in 2027. The English FA also reportedly planned to pull its support of Infantino.
Infantino is up for re-election as FIFA's president in March 2027. No other candidate has come forward in opposition of Infantino yet.
Unrest and calls for Infantino's resignation have emerged following a leaked report suggesting Infantino wanted to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors via a program it called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). After an outpouring of disdain, which included UEFA boycotting the World Cup and other FIFA events, FIFA confirmed its intentions and then nixed the idea.
FIFA issues warning to dissenters
FIFA addressed the FFE controversy in its news release and acknowledged "mistakes made." It also issued a stark warning against further criticism in the aftermath of the decision to withdraw the program.
"With the project withdrawn, it was agreed that FIFA will no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process and will take all necessary measures to protect and safeguard its name and reputation."
The warning is in response to continued criticism of Infantino for his handling of the situation. Many governing bodies were apparently unaware of Infantino's ploy to sell stakes in the World Cup until the story leaked.
In a statement, UEFA described the proposal as a "shabby, back room, opaque deal" that Infantino tried to force through. Concacaf accused Infantino of failing to put football first, and urged a "comprehensive reckoning with this presidency."
Concacaf's request was apparently heard. In the days since its statement, Infantino has faced increasing pressure from those around the game. One of his biggest advisers, former U.S. Soccer president Carlos Cordeiro, resigned from FIFA over the proposal. With pressure mounting, it was reported Tuesday that Infantino called the emergency meeting with top advisers in Morocco.
Early Wednesday, former player, Arsenal manager and UEFA advisor Luís Figo called for Infantino to resign in a social media post.
Figo said Infantino "debased the office that he promised to elevate," and "lost the support of his senior staff, his closest advisers, the vast majority of people who devote their lives to this sport."
Source: Yahoo Entertainment
