The 2026 World Cup ended with Spain as champion, but in recent days, reports have emerged about an alleged match-fixing in some tournament matches. There is even talk of an investigation related to irregular movements in sports betting.
According to RMC Sport, a report from the Council of Europe collects several alerts about situations recorded during some World Cup matches, information that was replicated by Bolavip.
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Alarm over alleged match-fixing in the World Cup
FIFA, for its part, responded that it has not identified any indication that would allow suspicion of match-fixing and noted that the document constitutes a record of alerts and a recommendation to strengthen mechanisms for protecting the integrity of the competition.
Among the facts mentioned in the report are the expulsion of Themba Zwane in the match between South Africa and Mexico, bets of more than 4.5 million dollars on a draw between Spain and Cape Verde before the match, and the prolonged VAR review that ended up disallowing a goal by Ferran Torres against Saudi Arabia.
Other matches under observation
The international press does not specify whether there are other matches under investigation or whether the Council of Europe will continue with new actions on the case.
The newspaper Clarín of Argentina noted that an international organization based in Copenhagen issued seven “yellow alerts” during the World Cup for possible irregularities related to betting.
The issue has gained traction amid theories about alleged external factors that would have surrounded the tournament, including alleged favoritism towards some national teams. However, no conclusive evidence demonstrating match manipulation has been presented so far.
Added to this is the match between Spain and Saudi Arabia, in which a VAR review lasted several minutes, which, according to published information, allowed numerous bets to be placed while the game remained stopped.
What does FIFA say?
FIFA’s Code of Ethics contemplates fines of up to 130,000 dollars, in addition to sporting sanctions that can reach two years of suspension for participating in football-related betting and up to five years for directly intervening in match manipulation.
So far, FIFA insists that it has found no evidence confirming match-fixing during the 2026 World Cup.
Sports
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