FIFA has formally dismissed suggestions that president Gianni Infantino made any promises regarding the venue for the 2030 World Cup final. The governing body labeled such reports as false and misleading, confirming that a final decision on the host stadium will be determined in due course following a meeting held in Rabat on Wednesday.
The denial follows a report from The Times, which alleged that Infantino offered the 2030 final to Morocco in return for support to remain in his position as FIFA president. The report suggested that Infantino is seeking to secure backing for an additional four-year term starting in 2027. These allegations surfaced while the FIFA president is under mounting pressure, having recently faced difficulties regarding a failed proposal to sell World Cup stakes to private investors. Infantino traveled to Morocco on Wednesday as part of ongoing efforts to address the current crisis.
The 2030 tournament is set to be a multi-national event, co-hosted by Spain, Morocco, and Portugal, with three additional matches scheduled to take place in South America. Competition for the final is intense, with Morocco aiming to host the event at the Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca, while Spain is pushing for the selection of the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid.
The controversy arrives at a challenging time for FIFA leadership. Football associations in England, Wales, and Serbia have recently withdrawn their support for Infantino. Furthermore, former Portugal international Luis Figo publicly called for the president's resignation on Wednesday.
In other football developments, the CBF has officially confirmed a pause in men’s football for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. In the Leagues Cup, upcoming fixtures include Club América versus San Diego FC. Additionally, player Luiz Henrique has posted a message following Flamengo’s intensified pursuit of him. Analysts are also currently predicting which clubs the summer's biggest free agents will sign for. Meanwhile, the Premier League has issued a statement explaining why Tottenham was not awarded a penalty against Leeds, a decision that denied Spurs midfielder James Maddison a significant moment during his return from injury.
