An international advisory body has raised seven notices relating to possible match manipulation from potential betting irregularities identified in the 2026 men\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n
The findings from the Group of Copenhagen \u2014 an independent international network dedicated to detecting, sanctioning, and preventing the manipulation of sports competitions \u2014 follow its integrity monitoring operation across the tournament\u2019s 104 matches.<\/p>\n
The full report has not yet been published but a summary of its conclusions has been released by the Council of Europe.<\/a> According to sources briefed on the report, who spoke anonymously as they were not authorised to do so publicly, among the in-game notices to raise potential irregularities were:<\/p>\n The red card shown to South Africa\u2019s Themba Zwane in the 84th minute of his side\u2019s tournament-opening game against Mexico The findings, sources say, also detailed how Polymarket opened a market on July 2 asking, \u201cWill Folarin Balogun play against Belgium?\u201d That was opened on the same day the U.S. forward was shown a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last-32 stage.<\/p>\n FIFA\u2019s Disciplinary Committee only confirmed that Balogun would be available to play<\/a>, having had his ban suspended, on July 5. Sources say the Group of Copenhagen\u2019s report said no other such markets were opened for the other 14 players who were shown a red card during the tournament \u2014 none of whom had bans suspended.<\/p>\n The Group of Copenhagen \u2014 which operates under the Council of Europe\u2019s Macolin Convention, a multilateral treaty which seeks to address fixing by changing international law \u2014 has said it has sent an official request for a written explanation to FIFA regarding the Balogun case. The Athletic has approached FIFA and Polymarket for comment on the Group of Copenhagen\u2019s findings.<\/p>\n Christian Kalb, a gambling industry expert who has worked with several governments on betting regulatory issues, has worked with the Group of Copenhagen before, though was not part of this report, told\u00a0The Athletic that irregularities flagged may be because of other factors aside from manipulation.<\/p>\n Why The World Cup Set A Worrying Precedent<\/p>\n Kate Mason<\/p>\n The Group of Copenhagen\u2019s operation was conducted in coordination with FIFA\u2019s Integrity Task Force \u2014 of which it and the Council of Europe, which are independent, are members.<\/p>\n
\nAmerican cryptocurrency-based prediction market Polymarket receiving $4.8 million (\u00a33.6m) on markets for Spain not to defeat Cape Verde in their group-stage game, which ended in a goalless draw
\nThe three-and-a-half-minute delay from the video assistant referee (VAR) team to disallow a goal from Spain\u2019s Ferran Torres in its 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia<\/p>\n