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Football Today

5 August 2026

Football Today

5 August 2026

According to The Times, Gianni Infantino has promised Morocco the 2030 World Cup final in return for political support as the FIFA president struggles to protect his position.

The 56-year-old has come under pressure in the aftermath of the backlash over his controversial World Cup investment plans.

Infantino has been staying in Rabat since criticism grew over his unsuccessful effort to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

The Swiss administrator has spent the last few days seeking public statements of backing from football federations.

The silence from Saudi Arabia, one of his closest allies in recent years, has caused concern inside FIFA.

Saudi Arabia is scheduled to host the 2034 World Cup, but has not yet publicly backed Infantino as pressure increases for him to step down.

The report says Infantino called an emergency meeting with senior FIFA officials at the governing body's Africa regional headquarters in Rabat on Wednesday as demands for his resignation continue to gather pace.

Morocco has been among Infantino's strongest supporters since his election in 2016 and will co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.

However, Morocco has been lobbying for the tournament's marquee final to be held at the new Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca, which will have a capacity of 115,000.

The Times says Infantino has privately told Moroccan officials that the final will be staged there rather than at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu.

Any such promise could be difficult to guarantee, with critics arguing that a decision on the final venue could be reviewed again if FIFA chooses a new president.

Meanwhile, Infantino's position continues to deteriorate.

Former Portugal star Luis Figo has publicly called on the FIFA chief to resign, accusing him of harming the organisation's reputation.

The uncertainty has also caused concern among dozens of smaller European clubs, which are still waiting for the solidarity payments they were promised from FIFA's expanded Club World Cup.

He alleged that during the World Cup he was told that supporting Infantino for a fourth term as president would improve FIFA's willingness to help Jordan settle its outstanding payment issues.

UEFA and CONCACAF have also urged Infantino to resign, although CAF are reportedly still backing him. He is facing a serious battle to remain in the role.