Council of Europe Accuses FIFA of Opening Door to Fraud at World Cup 2026

The Council of Europe has strongly criticized FIFA, alleging that its operations for the 2026 World Cup create an "open door to fraud" and allow political influence to undermine the event's integrity. This rebuke comes from the Council's secretary general, Alain Berset, who highlighted significant concerns regarding FIFA's partnership with a prediction market company and the reversal of a player suspension.

Berset specifically pointed to FIFA's deal with ADI Predictstreet, the official prediction market partner for the tournament. He argued that the introduction of granular betting options, extending beyond mere match results to specific in-game events, significantly increases the risk of match-fixing and fraudulent activities. This partnership, he claims, makes it easier to manipulate outcomes for individual bets without necessarily altering the final score.

Political Pressures Question Disciplinary Autonomy

Adding to concerns, Berset referenced the controversial decision to lift the suspension of USA striker Folarin Balogun. This move, he suggested, was influenced by direct communication between heads of state, specifically citing a phone call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino from then-US President Donald Trump.

Such external pressures, according to Berset, compromise the independence and authority of FIFA's disciplinary committees, casting doubt on the consistent application of its regulatory frameworks.

The Council of Europe's public critique is notable given a subsisting 2018 memorandum of understanding between the two organizations, aimed at strengthening cooperation on human rights, integrity, and good governance in sport. Berset emphasized that when "rules bend under pressure, every result is open to doubt," suggesting a breakdown in their collaborative oversight.

Calls for New Integrity Framework Ahead of 2030 Tournament

In response to these issues, Berset has called for the urgent establishment of a new integrity framework before the 2030 World Cup, much of which is scheduled to be hosted in Europe. He proposed a "working dialogue" to address these systemic vulnerabilities, referencing the Council of Europe's historical role in creating binding treaties to ensure fan safety and combat issues like doping and match-fixing.

This intervention follows earlier letters from members of the European Parliament, who had called for investigations into Infantino's involvement in the Balogun case, citing alleged breaches of political neutrality and FIFA's own code of ethics. The public nature of this criticism signals a potential shift in the regulatory relationship between intergovernmental organizations and international sports governing bodies, with increased scrutiny on FIFA's governance practices.