Algeria Gate: The Times has revealed that FIFA President Gianni Infantino offered Morocco the hosting rights for the 2030 World Cup final in exchange for official backing of his re-election bid, as he faces growing pressure to step down over his controversial plan to bring private investors into the tournament.
According to the newspaper, Infantino is seeking a questionable deal with Morocco and its support for his re-election as FIFA president, scheduled for March 2027 and to be hosted by Morocco, after the level of support he previously enjoyed within a number of football federations has declined.

The newspaper added that Infantino held an emergency meeting with several senior FIFA officials in Morocco in an attempt to contain the crisis threatening his future.
Well-informed sources confirmed that he promised to grant Morocco the honour of hosting the 2030 World Cup final at the new Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca, a project that is experiencing significant delays in completion.
These developments come at a time when Spain is clinging to its right to host the tournament’s final match. Spanish Football Federation President Rafael Louzán affirmed that his country will be the “leader” in organising the 2030 World Cup, reiterating his confidence that Spain will host the final and stating that there is no justification for moving it to another country.
Infantino is facing an unprecedented wave of criticism following his proposal to sell a stake of up to 20% of the World Cup’s commercial rights to private-sector investors, in a deal expected to generate around $4.2 billion.

The project has sparked widespread opposition within football circles, with critics viewing it as a threat to FIFA’s nature as a non-profit organisation and an attempt to turn the World Cup into a commercial venture that serves investors’ interests at the expense of the game.
A number of European federations, including those of England and Wales, have announced the withdrawal of their support for Infantino, while UEFA voted to boycott all FIFA competitions in protest against the project. Calls for his resignation are growing amid what is considered one of the most serious crises since he took over the presidency of the world governing body.
Morocco is also facing sharp criticism, particularly in the wake of the fallout from the mass migration tragedy toward the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. The criticism is no longer limited to the humanitarian or political aspects but has extended to the sporting file of greatest importance to Morocco: hosting the 2030 World Cup.


