Infantino offers Morocco the 2030 World Cup final in exchange for support as pressure mounts on the FIFA president | OneFootball

Gianni Infantino has promised Morocco the 2030 World Cup final in exchange for political backing as the FIFA president battles to save his position, according to The Times.

The 56-year-old is under pressure following the fallout from his controversial World Cup investment proposals.

Infantino has been based in Rabat since criticism intensified over his failed attempt to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

The Swiss official spent the past few days looking for public declarations of support from football federations.

The silence of Saudi Arabia, one of his closest allies in recent years, has raised concerns within FIFA.

Saudi Arabia is due to host the 2034 World Cup, but has yet to publicly endorse Infantino as pressure mounts for him to step aside.

The report claims Infantino convened an emergency meeting with senior FIFA officials at the governing body’s Africa regional headquarters in Rabat on Wednesday as calls for his resignation continue to grow.

Morocco has been one of Infantino’s strongest supporters since his election in 2016 and is set to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.

However, Morocco has been pushing for the tournament’s showpiece final to be staged at the new 115,000-capacity Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca.

The Times reports that Infantino has privately assured Moroccan officials the final will be played there rather than at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu.

Any such commitment may prove difficult to guarantee, with critics arguing that decisions over the final venue could be revisited if FIFA elect a new president.

Meanwhile, Infantino’s position continues to weaken.

Former Portugal star Luis Figo has publicly urged the FIFA chief to resign, accusing him of damaging the organisation’s reputation.

The uncertainty has also created concern among dozens of smaller European clubs, who are still waiting for promised solidarity payments from FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup.

Elsewhere, Jordan FA president Prince Ali bin Hussein accused Infantino of blackmail.

He alleged that during the World Cup he was told backing Infantino for a fourth presidential term would improve FIFA’s willingness to help Jordan resolve its outstanding payment issues.

UEFA and CONCACAF have also called for Infantino to step down, although CAF reportedly remain on his side. He faces a serious fight to hold on to his role.