The Council of Europe has issued a strong rebuke of FIFA, accusing the football governing body of opening the door to fraud through its betting partnerships during the 2026 World Cup. The criticism highlights growing concerns about the expansion of betting markets to include in-game events and player-specific actions, which increase risks for bettors and fans.
Alain Berset, secretary general of the Council of Europe, pointed out how betting has shifted from simply predicting match results to wagering on “moments a single player can produce without changing the score.” He warned that “a bet is won by making others lose. It is an open door to fraud. And this World Cup has opened the door wider.” This shift raises practical concerns for bettors about the fairness and transparency of betting markets, as well as the potential for manipulation.
The letter, published to coincide with the World Cup final, also referenced FIFA’s controversial decision to lift the suspension of USA striker Folarin Balogun after political pressure. Berset noted, “When the rules bend under pressure, every result is open to doubt.“ For players and consumers, this undermines confidence in the integrity of both the sport and the betting markets linked to it.
FIFA’s partnership with ADI Predictstreet, the official prediction market partner for the tournament, has been singled out as a particular concern. Prediction markets allow bets on granular events, which can be harder to monitor and regulate, increasing risks for consumers and those vulnerable to gambling harm.
In response to these issues, the Council of Europe is calling for a new integrity framework to be established before the 2030 World Cup, which will primarily take place in Europe. This framework aims to strengthen protections for fans and bettors, improve governance, and reduce risks of fraud and manipulation.
For players and bettors, these developments highlight the importance of vigilance when engaging with betting products linked to major sporting events. The expansion of betting options can increase the complexity and risk of gambling harm, making responsible gambling measures and clear market regulations essential.
Those concerned about gambling harm should seek support and use available tools to manage their betting activity. The call for stronger integrity measures also signals potential future regulatory changes that could affect how betting markets operate around international football tournaments.
European authorities are already planning to tighten regulations on betting activity related to international sport following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to SBC News. The tournament, which concluded with Spain defeating Argentina 1-0, was a major engagement driver for the betting industry but also raised questions about market oversight and consumer protection (SBC News).
Meanwhile, the integration of AI technologies in iGaming is also influencing player safety and market dynamics, as reported by SBC News. These technological advances could play a role in future integrity frameworks and responsible gambling initiatives (SBC News).
For more on sports betting and player protection, visit our Betting and Responsible Gambling sections. To understand how these issues impact European players, see our coverage at Europe.
Source: Gambling | The Guardian.
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