FIFA's Integrity Task Force detects no suspicious betting activities, match manipulation during World Cup

FIFA’s Integrity Task Force, in charge of monitoring the FIFA World Cup 2022, announced it has successfully scrutinized both the betting markets and the in-game action in real time of the initial 56 matches of the competition, with no suspicious betting activities or match manipulation threats identified. 

During the competition, FIFA has centralized the collection of information from betting monitoring reports based on betting market activities, data and inquiries from other jurisdictions, including law enforcement entities, physical surveillance at competition venues for any suspicious behavior, and hotlines as well as other reporting mechanisms, all of which has been subsequently analyzed and exchanged between the task force members.

The monitoring has been conducted with the support of the Qatar Safety and Security Operations Committee (SSOC), which has set up a specific international coordination center for the FIFA World Cup. 

Besides the SSOC, the task force also comprises experts from the Council of Europe and its Group of Copenhagen, INTERPOL, Sportradar, the United Lotteries for Integrity in Sports and the International Betting Integrity Association. 

In addition, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the principal law enforcement and investigative service of the USA, has joined the group to contribute its experience and expertise, also in preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2026. 

Furthermore, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, with which FIFA signed a landmark cooperation agreement in 2020, has also joined the task force for the first time. 

The Integrity Task Force will continue the ongoing monitoring process in real-time during the remaining matches leading up to the final, which will take place on December 18.