European Rights Body Questions World Cup Integrity, Urges FIFA for 2030 Tournament Framework

The Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), a prominent human rights body, has voiced serious questions regarding the integrity of the FIFA World Cup. The organization is advocating for FIFA to implement stronger safeguards in preparation for the 2030 tournament, which is scheduled to be primarily hosted by Spain and Portugal.

In a statement, Swiss politician Alain Berset, who addressed the assembly, highlighted specific instances that have fueled these concerns. He cited FIFA's decision to lift a ban on U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, reportedly under pressure from then-U.S. President Donald Trump, as an example of potential external influence. Furthermore, Berset pointed to the risk of fraud associated with FIFA partnering with a prediction market as a World Cup sponsor.