Infantino offered Morocco the 2030 WC final hosting rights!

FIFA president Gianni Infantino privately offered Morocco the right to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup final in exchange for political backing, according to a report by The Times, adding another layer of controversy as the FIFA chief battles growing scrutiny over his leadership.

The report surfaced just before FIFA apologised to its member associations for mistakes made over its abandoned plan to sell commercial rights to the World Cup. At an emergency meeting in Morocco on Wednesday, FIFA's leadership also reaffirmed its support for Infantino following the backlash that forced the governing body to shelve the proposal.

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The Times claimed Infantino made the assurance while seeking support from FIFA member associations ahead of next year's presidential election. Morocco is set to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, although FIFA has yet to decide where the final will be staged.

According to the report, Infantino privately assured Moroccan officials that the North African nation would stage the tournament's showpiece match as he sought to strengthen backing for his expected re-election bid.

Morocco hopes to host the final at the under-construction Hassan II Stadium near Casablanca. Once completed, the 115,000-capacity venue would become the largest football stadium in the world. Spain is also bidding to stage the final, with the renovated Santiago Bernabéu widely regarded as its preferred venue.

The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Morocco, Spain and Portugal, while Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will each stage one commemorative opening match to mark the tournament's centenary.

FIFA strongly denied the report.

"It is false and misleading to claim the FIFA President has made any promise in relation to hosting the FIFA World Cup 2030 final. A decision will be made by FIFA in due course," a FIFA spokesperson said.