FIFA faces criticism over ExpressVPN World Cup 2026 sponsorship

FIFA announced that ExpressVPN will be an official sponsor of the 2026 World Cup, marking the first time a VPN service has been linked to the tournament. The partnership drew sharp criticism from Spanish La Liga president Javier Tebas and the French Association for the Protection of Sports Programs (APPS), who said the deal conflicts with efforts to protect football’s audiovisual rights. Both organisations sent letters to FIFA president Gianni Infantino demanding guarantees that ExpressVPN will not facilitate illegal streaming. FIFA responded that it conducts thorough pre‑contract checks and assessments before signing commercial agreements. The controversy emerges as French broadcasters prepare to launch Ligue 1+, while the sports‑piracy industry is estimated to cause losses of €1.5 billion annually in France, €290 million of which affect the sports sector alone. Although VPN use is legal in many countries, including Finland, critics argue the sponsorship sends a damaging message to the football ecosystem.