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FIFA Declares 2026 World Cup Free of Match-Fixing

7/24/2026

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Summary

Story summary

FIFA cleared 2026 World Cup of match-fixing after its Task Force found no evidence.
The Task Force, with experts from the FBI, INTERPOL and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, found no betting or match manipulation.
French referee François Letexier was removed after France reached the semi-finals under FIFA’s rotation policy.
Striker Elye Wahi remained under investigation after French police arrested him on May 29, 2026 for betting offences.

History

Historical Context

Calciopoli erupted in May 2006 when Italian police and the FIGC uncovered 30 wire-tapped calls linking Juventus director Luciano Moggi to referee selection, prompting Juventus’s relegation and a €27 million fine. The scandal spurred tighter monitoring, so the FIFA 2026 Task Force—comprising the FBI, INTERPOL and UNODC—reviewed betting data and confirmed no manipulation by French referee François Letexier.

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Story summary

FIFA cleared 2026 World Cup of match-fixing after its Task Force found no evidence.
The Task Force, with experts from the FBI, INTERPOL and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, found no betting or match manipulation.
French referee François Letexier was removed after France reached the semi-finals under FIFA’s rotation policy.
Striker Elye Wahi remained under investigation after French police arrested him on May 29, 2026 for betting offences.

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