FIFA has come under renewed scrutiny over the integrity and governance of world football after the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, issued a strongly worded open letter raising concerns about betting, political influence and disciplinary decision-making during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Berset urged FIFA to establish a new integrity framework before the 2030 FIFA World Cup, arguing that recent controversies have raised serious questions about the credibility of the sport’s global governing body.
In his letter, released to coincide with the conclusion of the tournament, Berset said several incidents during the 2026 World Cup had undermined confidence in football governance. He pointed to disciplinary decisions that appeared to change unexpectedly, questions surrounding the authority of referees, racist abuse directed at players and the rapid expansion of betting markets as developments that warranted urgent attention.
One of the principal concerns highlighted in the letter relates to FIFA’s partnership with ADI Predictstreet, which became the tournament’s official prediction market partner in April 2026. According to Berset, modern sports betting has expanded beyond predicting match results and now covers individual player actions, corners, yellow cards and other in-game events. He warned that such betting models could increase opportunities for fraud and manipulation, posing a growing threat to the integrity of football.
Berset also referred to FIFA’s decision to lift the suspension imposed on United States striker Folarin Balogun. He argued that when disciplinary rules appear to change under external pressure, public confidence in the fairness of competition can be undermined. However, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has maintained that the decision was taken independently by FIFA’s disciplinary committee in accordance with the applicable regulations and the specific facts of the case.
The intervention is particularly significant because FIFA and the Council of Europe signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2018 aimed at strengthening cooperation on issues including human rights, sporting integrity and good governance. Public criticism of one partner by the other is considered highly unusual and reflects the seriousness of the concerns raised.
Berset called for an immediate dialogue among football authorities, governments and international organisations to develop stronger safeguards before the 2030 World Cup. He noted that the Council of Europe has previously played an important role in establishing international legal frameworks on stadium safety, anti-doping measures and the fight against match-fixing, arguing that football governance now requires a similar level of transparency and accountability.
The debate has also gained political attention within Europe. Several Members of the European Parliament have called for an independent investigation into FIFA’s handling of recent disciplinary decisions and the role played by President Gianni Infantino. Some lawmakers have questioned whether FIFA’s actions were consistent with its own principles of political neutrality and ethical governance. However, there has been no indication that UEFA, European football’s governing body, intends to initiate formal proceedings at this stage.
FIFA has not issued a detailed response to the latest criticism. At the same time, more than 200 FIFA member associations have reportedly expressed support for Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA President, indicating that he continues to enjoy significant backing within world football.
Despite that support, the controversy has intensified the global debate over governance, transparency and accountability in international football. Observers believe that the discussions surrounding betting regulation, disciplinary independence and political neutrality are likely to remain central issues as preparations begin for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, with many stakeholders calling for stronger safeguards to protect the credibility and integrity of the sport.
