The Council of Europe, a prominent pan-European rights organization, has issued a call to FIFA, urging the global football governing body to bolster the “integrity” of the sport. This comes in the wake of the recently concluded World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, which has sparked numerous concerns.
Set to finish early on Monday AEST with a gripping final between Argentina and Spain, the 2026 World Cup has faced allegations of political coercion and the troubling presence of racist abuse directed at players. Adding to the controversies, the event’s association with betting markets has raised fears of potential fraud, according to a statement from Alain Berset, the Council of Europe’s secretary general.
“The FIFA World Cup 2026 has raised question after question,” Berset remarked. “The celebration will end tonight. The questions will not.” His statement highlights the persistent unease that has overshadowed this global sporting event.
In a firm stance, Berset emphasized the need for immediate action, advocating for a “working dialogue that starts tonight” to establish a robust integrity framework well ahead of the 2030 World Cup.
Further putting the spotlight on political interference, Berset referenced U.S. President Donald Trump’s call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. This call, requesting a review of the World Cup suspension handed to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, exemplifies how political influence has extended onto the football field, raising even more questions about the game’s governance.
“When the rules bend under pressure, every result is open to doubt,” Berset said.
He also questioned FIFA’s decision to for the first time have a prediction market — ADI Predictstreet — as an official partner with intense betting on every facet of the game.
“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,” he said.
The now 46-member Council of Europe in the 1980s drew up a treaty to keep football fans safe and has also created an anti-doping convention as well as an accord against match-fixing.
“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,” said Berset.
The Council of Europe is not part of the European Union and includes several European key states, such as the United Kingdom, who are not members of the bloc.