Gianni Infantino is going through one of the most challenging periods since taking over as president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), after a controversial investment proposal evolved into a wave of opposition that threatens to undermine the support he has relied on for years within football’s governing body.

Amid closed-door meetings in Morocco, direct criticism from continental federations and prominent figures, and reports suggesting that hosting the 2030 World Cup final was offered in exchange for electoral support, the Swiss-Italian president now faces a major test just months before the upcoming election.

A Crisis Shakes FIFA

The crisis began with a proposal to establish an external commercial entity responsible for managing the commercial rights and business activities associated with FIFA competitions, most notably the World Cup, while allowing private investors to become involved.

However, the proposal faced widespread opposition, particularly from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), before it was withdrawn just days later under increasing pressure.

The fallout did not end with the project’s withdrawal. It also spread within FIFA itself, as several officials raised concerns over the way the matter had been handled. American adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned, while Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, stressed that he had not been involved in the project and had learned about it through media reports.

Meanwhile, external criticism intensified, with some parties calling for a reassessment of FIFA’s governance. Several football associations also withdrew their support for Infantino, despite the fact that no official challenger has emerged so far.

Jordan Football Association President Prince Ali bin Al Hussein accused the FIFA president of exerting pressure linked to securing electoral support, while former Portuguese star Luís Figo joined the growing number of voices calling for Infantino to step down.

Morocco and the 2030 Final

Infantino chose Morocco as the center of his efforts during the crisis, holding meetings with senior FIFA officials at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé in an attempt to contain the fallout and rebuild support ahead of the presidential election.

Morocco’s importance has grown significantly within the global football landscape, particularly as it prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. The country is also developing major sporting infrastructure, most notably the new Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca, which is expected to have a capacity of approximately 115,000 spectators.

Amid these developments, media reports claimed that Infantino offered Morocco the opportunity to host the 2030 World Cup final in exchange for a clear public declaration of support in the upcoming election.

According to those reports, the FIFA president informed Moroccan officials that the final could be held in Casablanca instead of Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. However, neither FIFA nor the relevant parties have issued an official announcement confirming such an agreement.

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Infantino’s opponents also argue that the decision over the final’s venue should not be considered settled at this stage, particularly because a future FIFA president could have the authority to review or alter it.

The 2027 Election: A Test of Support

The FIFA presidential election will take place during the organization’s 77th Congress, scheduled to be held in Rabat, Morocco, on March 18, 2027.

A total of 211 member associations will take part in the vote, with each association holding one vote regardless of its size, influence or footballing status.

If the race includes only one or two candidates, the winner must receive more than half of the valid votes. If more than two candidates enter the contest, the process begins with a round requiring a larger majority for an immediate victory. If no candidate reaches that threshold, further rounds are held, with the candidate receiving the fewest votes eliminated until only two candidates remain.

At that stage, the candidate who secures a simple majority wins the election.

For now, Infantino remains the only officially declared candidate. However, he is no longer entering the race under the calm conditions that surrounded previous elections, as some alliances have begun to weaken and opposition has intensified both inside and outside FIFA.

A Final Term or an Early Exit?

Infantino is seeking a new term that would extend his presidency until 2031 and would be his final term under the current rules.

Although FIFA’s statutes limit the number of consecutive terms a president can serve, Infantino’s first period in office, which began in 2016, was not counted toward that limit because it followed an extraordinary election and was not considered a full term.

Infantino first became FIFA president in February 2016. He was re-elected in 2019 and then retained the position unopposed in 2023 after no other candidate entered the race.

This time, however, the situation appears markedly different. The president who faced no opposition in the previous election is now dealing with a crisis of confidence, declining support from some allies and mounting pressure that could encourage a new candidate to enter the race before the vote.

Between meetings in Rabat, the controversy surrounding FIFA’s commercial rights and reports linked to the 2030 World Cup final, FIFA’s presidency has entered a period filled with uncertainty. What once appeared to be a largely predictable election could now develop into one of the most politically significant battles in modern football history.