Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, warned that the next crisis in football integrity has already started, urging FIFA to initiate conversations about a new integrity framework ahead of the 2030 World Cup. His statement highlighted concerns surrounding player-action betting and FIFA’s own engagement with prediction markets as factors increasing the threat of match manipulation.

Concerns Over Emerging Risks in World Cup Betting

Berset emphasized that betting markets focused on individual player actions such as cards, corners, or passes pose greater risks for fraud than traditional bets on final match results. According to him, these types of bets create vulnerabilities because a single participant can influence the outcome of those actions without necessarily affecting the overall score. Berset argued that FIFA has expanded these risks by incorporating a prediction market into the official World Cup sponsorship for the first time.

FIFA’s Partnership with ADI Predictstreet and Safeguards

In April, FIFA appointed blockchain-based ADI Predictstreet as its first official prediction-market partner through a multi-year agreement. The platform offers a variety of betting options based on match results, tournament statistics, player performances, and key moments, alongside FIFA’s free-to-play bracket challenge. ADI Predictstreet launched its real-money operations in Gibraltar, extending access to US bettors via Fanatics Markets, while DAZN provided a separate free-to-play experience during World Cup coverage.

FIFA stated that ADI Predictstreet operates under a stringent integrity monitoring system. This includes real-time surveillance of suspicious trades and structured information-sharing protocols designed to uphold fairness and transparency. Despite these assurances, Berset questioned whether these measures suffice given the nature of player-action markets.

Call for International Dialogue Before 2030

Berset proposed a "third half" of discussions between FIFA and the Council of Europe to develop full integrity protections before the next World Cup. His call is a personal initiative rather than a binding mandate from the Council’s 46 member states. While he did not claim any specific manipulation occurred through ADI Predictstreet during the recent tournament, the request signals urgency in addressing integrity challenges linked to new betting formats.

This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice