2026 World Cup: FIFA rejects match-fixing claims after integrity review

FIFA has dismissed any evidence of match-fixing during the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a report identified seven integrity alerts and highlighted several incidents that prompted closer examination during the tournament.

The review, produced by the Group of Copenhagen, an international organisation specialising in combating the manipulation of sporting competitions, pointed to a number of unusual situations that led integrity experts to monitor several matches more closely.

However, the report stressed that the alerts do not constitute proof that any matches were manipulated.

Seven alerts prompted closer scrutiny

According to the report, seven “yellow alerts” were recorded during the tournament, leading investigators to place 15 matches under heightened observation.

The findings, first reported by The Athletic, identified several incidents that were considered unusual enough to warrant additional analysis by sports integrity specialists.

Among the situations examined was the red card shown to South Africa’s Themba Zwane during his side’s match against Mexico.

Investigators also reviewed the lengthy delay of approximately three and a half minutes before the video assistant referee (VAR) disallowed a goal scored by Ferran Torres during Spain’s victory over Saudi Arabia.

While these incidents attracted attention, the report did not conclude that they were linked to any manipulation of matches.

Betting patterns also examined

The report also highlighted unusual betting activity surrounding Spain’s goalless draw against Cape Verde.

According to the findings, the fixture generated almost $4.8 million in wagers on the prediction platform Polymarket, with significant interest focused on the possibility of a Spanish defeat.

Investigators considered the betting activity as one of several factors requiring closer observation during the competition.

The report also noted the growing influence of prediction platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi, which are increasingly included in systems used to monitor sporting integrity.

It estimated that nearly $240 billion was wagered on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, approximately double the amount reported during the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Balogun case raises further questions

Another issue highlighted in the report involved American striker Folarin Balogun.

After being sent off during the Round of 16 match against Bosnia, Balogun appeared set to miss the following fixture against Belgium through suspension.

However, investigators noted that Polymarket opened a betting market on the same day asking whether Balogun would be available to face Belgium, despite FIFA only officially lifting his suspension three days later.

According to the report, no equivalent betting market was created for any of the other 14 players who were sent off during the tournament.

As a result, the Group of Copenhagen requested written clarification from FIFA regarding the handling of Balogun’s disciplinary case.

FIFA rejects match-fixing concerns

Despite the alerts and the issues raised in the report, FIFA insists there is no evidence that any matches were manipulated.

On Tuesday, FIFA’s Competition Integrity Task Force stated that it had identified no suspicious betting patterns or indications of match-fixing across the tournament’s 104 matches.

The governing body maintained that its monitoring systems detected no evidence suggesting the integrity of the competition had been compromised.

Although no proof of wrongdoing has emerged, the report concludes that the highlighted incidents remain important warning signals for organisations responsible for protecting sporting integrity.

For now, the tournament remains free from any confirmed match-fixing findings, while integrity bodies continue to monitor the issues raised as part of their ongoing oversight of international football competitions.