FIFA denies promising 2030 World Cup final to Morocco amid transparency criticism

FIFA has strongly denied reports that President Gianni Infantino offered Morocco the hosting rights for the 2030 World Cup final. The denial followed a meeting in Rabat, Morocco, which fueled rumors that the final had been promised to the North African nation in exchange for support.

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it is false and misleading that President Gianni Infantino has made any promise in relation to the venue of the final of the 2030 World Cup, specifying that a decision will be made in due course.

According to British newspaper 'The Times,' Infantino allegedly used the meeting, ostensibly to address the fallout from the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) commercialization plan, to secure backing for his re-election bid. The FFE plan, which aimed to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, faced significant opposition from continental federations like UEFA and CONCACAF.

FIFA sources, however, told EFE that it is "false and misleading" for Infantino to have made any promises regarding the 2030 final. The organization stated that a decision on the final's venue will be made "in due course." The 2030 World Cup is jointly hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal.

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As with the aborted FFE project, this new proposal involves a short evaluation calendar (only four weeks) and zero consultation with the leagues, clubs, and players whose plans and survival would be most affected.

Meanwhile, European leagues, organized under European Leagues, have intensified their criticism of FIFA's internal decision-making. They described the procedures as "opaque," particularly concerning the potential expansion of the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams. The leagues argue that FIFA continues to make "unilateral disruptive decisions" without adequate consultation with leagues, clubs, and players, whose operations are directly affected. They are calling for governance reforms to ensure all relevant stakeholders have a formal role in shaping the future of the sport.

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Let us be clear: FIFA must not be allowed to continue making disruptive unilateral decisions. Now more than ever, FIFA requires governance reform that ensures all relevant stakeholders have a formal role in decisions that shape the future of our game.