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The Council of Europe has called on FIFA to begin work on a stronger integrity framework for the 2030 World Cup, raising concerns about governance, political influence and the growing role of betting-related products in football.
In an open letter addressed to FIFA President Gianni Infantino and published shortly before the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina in New Jersey, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset argued that football is facing a new set of challenges that require international cooperation and regulatory attention.
Berset, a Swiss politician who has twice served as president of Switzerland, warned that issues connected to money, political influence and emerging technologies are creating fresh risks for the sport.
“The next crisis has already begun,” Berset wrote according to ESPN. “It is no longer just about corruption on the field, but about the growing influence of money and power around it.”
The Council of Europe is a 46-member intergovernmental organization that created the European Convention on Human Rights. Its stated mission is “To promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law across Europe and beyond.” Despite a formal cooperation agreement between FIFA and the Council of Europe dating back to 2018, the organization chose to make its concerns public.
Betting and Prediction Markets Highlighted as Key Risks
A major focus of Berset’s letter centered on prediction markets and the expanding scope of sports wagering.
FIFA entered into a sponsorship agreement with prediction market operator ADI Predictstreet in April. Reports indicated that the deal was worth approximately $150 million and was signed only one week after the Abu Dhabi-backed company was formally established. FIFA also maintained other commercial relationships with gambling-sector businesses during the tournament.
Berset argued that newer betting formats present integrity concerns because they allow wagers to be placed on events that do not directly affect a match result.
“Betting has moved from the result of a match to moments a single player can produce without changing the score. A bet won by making others lose. It is an open door to fraud,” he wrote.
Elsewhere in the letter, he repeated concerns over the potential consequences of such products, stating: “It is an open door to fraud. And this World Cup has opened the door wider.”
According to Berset, the combination of prediction markets, broader betting opportunities and the growing influence of artificial intelligence requires a coordinated response from sports bodies and regulators.
Balogun Decision Raises Governance Questions
The Council of Europe chief also pointed to FIFA’s handling of disciplinary matters during the tournament, specifically the case involving United States forward Folarin Balogun.
Balogun had received a suspension that would have ruled him out of a key match against Belgium. However, the sanction was later suspended, allowing him to participate in the quarter-final encounter. Belgium ultimately won the match 4-1.
Berset linked the decision to intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump and questioned the implications for football governance.
“Political influence has also moved onto the field,” he said. “The sanction suspended mid-tournament came after a head of state called the president of FIFA. When the rules bend under pressure, every result is open to doubt.”
The decision also attracted criticism from UEFA, European football’s governing body. UEFA said the ruling had “crossed a red line” regarding transparency and the rule of law within football. FIFA has not published the disciplinary judge’s reasoning behind the decision.
Call for Action Before the 2030 Tournament
Beyond betting and disciplinary matters, Berset referenced additional concerns that emerged during the 2026 tournament. He cited questions surrounding refereeing authority, incidents of racist abuse directed at players and the increasing availability of betting opportunities tied to individual moments within matches.
In one section of the letter, he wrote: “The authority of referees called into question. Racist abuse of players, some of it from elected officials. Betting on every pass, every card, every corner.”
The 2026 tournament was the first World Cup to feature 48 teams and 104 matches. Spain ultimately claimed the title after defeating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final.
Looking ahead, the next men’s World Cup is scheduled for 2030. Spain and Portugal will host most matches, while Morocco will serve as a co-host. Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay are each set to stage one match at the start of the competition as part of celebrations marking the centenary of the first World Cup, which was held in Uruguay in 1930.
Berset concluded his message by proposing a formal collaboration between FIFA and regulators to address integrity risks before the next tournament begins.