Group of Copenhagen flags betting irregularities in FIFA World Cup matches

The independent sports‑integrity body Group of Copenhagen, a consultative organ to the Council of Europe, has reviewed all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup and identified 15 games that require enhanced monitoring, as well as 12 controversies from an integrity‑risk perspective. The group highlighted unusual betting activity on the online prediction market Polymarket, including a $4.8 million wager that Spain would not defeat Cape Verde – a match that ended in a goalless draw – and a market asking whether U.S. striker Folarin Balogun would be available for the Belgium match after receiving a red card that was later overturned.

The red‑card reversal followed a phone call reportedly between U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, prompting claims that U.S. officials may have influenced the decision and raised questions about possible insider trading on Polymarket. The Group of Copenhagen stressed that while the signals do not constitute proof of match‑fixing, they warrant thorough investigation.

No definitive evidence of result manipulation has been presented, but the findings underscore concerns about the integrity of high‑profile sporting events and the role of prediction markets in amplifying betting anomalies.