'Question after question': Rights body urges FIFA to strengthen the integrity of football

A European human rights organization has called on FIFA to bolster the integrity of football, pointing to multiple concerns that emerged during the 2026 World Cup. The Council of Europe's secretary general, Alain Berset, stated that the tournament, co-hosted by the United States, had generated "question after question."

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The FIFA World Cup 2026 has raised question after question. The celebration will end tonight. The questions will not.

Berset highlighted issues such as political interference, racist abuse directed at players, and the increased accessibility of betting markets, which he warned could pave the way for fraud. "The FIFA World Cup 2026 has raised question after question," he said in a statement. "The celebration will end tonight. The questions will not."

He specifically referenced U.S. President Donald Trump's call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino regarding the suspension of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. "Political influence has also moved onto the field," Berset noted, adding, "When the rules bend under pressure, every result is open to doubt."

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Political influence has also moved onto the field. When the rules bend under pressure, every result is open to doubt.

Furthermore, Berset questioned FIFA's decision to partner with a prediction market, ADI Predictstreet, for the first time, observing an intense focus on betting on various aspects of the game. "Betting has moved from the result of a match to moments a single player can produce without changing the score," he stated. "It is an open door to fraud. And this World Cup has opened the door wider."

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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.

The Council of Europe, which has a history of creating treaties to ensure fan safety and combat match-fixing, urged FIFA to use the conclusion of the tournament as a starting point for urgent work. "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.

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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.