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The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will come to an end on Sunday with Argentina set to face Spain in the final, but the tournament’s integrity has been called into question by the Pan-European rights organisation, the Council of Europe.
Secretary General Alain Berset highlighted a series of issues that he says have undermined confidence in football, from political interference to the expansion of betting markets.
“The FIFA World Cup 2026 has raised question after question,” Berset said, warning that while the celebration may end with the final whistle, the underlying concerns will persist. He urged FIFA to engage immediately in a “working dialogue” to establish an integrity framework ahead of the 2030 World Cup.
Berset cited political pressure as a key concern, referencing US President Donald Trump’s call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino over the suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun.
“Political influence has also moved onto the field. When the rules bend under pressure, every result is open to doubt,” he said.
The secretary general also criticised FIFA’s decision to integrate a prediction market, ADI Predictstreet, as an official partner, allowing intensive betting on player actions beyond match results.
“Betting has moved from the result of a match to moments a single player can produce without changing the score. It is an open door to fraud. And this World Cup has opened the door wider,” Berset said.
The Council of Europe, which includes 46 members such as the UK, has a long history of promoting safety and integrity in football, having introduced an anti-doping convention, an anti-match-fixing accord, and earlier treaties to protect fans.
“Tonight, the final whistle will end the tournament. Let it also open the third half and the urgent work of strengthening the integrity of sport.”Berset concluded,
This statement underscores the growing call for FIFA to ensure football’s credibility and safeguard the sport from political and commercial pressures.
