2030 World Cup: Is Gianni Infantino offering a letter of support for the final in Morocco?

While navigating a period of significant political turmoil at the helm of FIFA, Gianni Infantino is attempting to secure his support. During a visit to Morocco on Wednesday, the head of the international governing body formally requested the backing of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) ahead of the upcoming presidential election scheduled for 2027. According to an investigation by The Times , confirmed by RMC Sport, the Italian-Swiss leader allegedly used the awarding of the 2030 World Cup final as leverage in negotiations.

In exchange for an official and public letter of support—promptly disseminated by the Moroccan federation through its communication channels—Gianni Infantino reportedly promised to host the 2030 World Cup final at the future Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca. This monumental 115,000-seat venue would thus find itself in direct competition with the Madrid stadium to host the ultimate clash of the competition's centenary.

This maneuver is part of a long-standing diplomatic strategy, with the FIFA president having regularly expressed his preference for the Moroccan option. Hosting the 2030 final is also a major geopolitical issue for the authorities in Rabat. However, this bargaining has sparked considerable incomprehension within the international body, where several leaders now opposed to Gianni Infantino had previously expressed surprise at the Kingdom's unwavering loyalty to it.

However, this promise remains precarious and contingent on the leader's political future. Should Gianni Infantino lose the 2027 election or be forced to resign early, his successor could renege on this informal commitment and reassign the final match of the competition.