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Switzerland’s gambling authority, Gespa, has opened an inquiry into FIFA’s non-fungible token (NFT) program for the 2026 World Cup, examining whether it may conflict with national gambling laws.
At the center of the review are FIFA’s “Right-to-Buy” (RTB) tokens — NFTs that grant holders the conditional right to purchase match tickets if specific teams qualify. These tokens can also be traded on FIFA’s blockchain-powered marketplace.
While Gespa has not accused FIFA of wrongdoing, it is assessing whether the tokens should be classified as gambling products or legitimate purchase rights.
The main concern stems from the tokens’ fluctuating value, which depends on uncertain events such as team qualification. This introduces elements of chance and financial risk for buyers, as the tokens could appreciate or lose value based on unpredictable outcomes.
Prices vary widely: tokens linked to popular teams like Brazil and Argentina have reached up to $999, while those tied to less favored teams sell for considerably less. Critics say this setup blurs the line between fan engagement and speculative betting.
FIFA launched the RTB system to help manage overwhelming demand for World Cup tickets and to curb counterfeit sales. For the 2022 tournament, it received around 23 million ticket requests for just 3.4 million available seats.
FIFA’s involvement in NFTs began in 2022 with the launch of FIFA+ Collect, a digital platform offering soccer-themed collectibles. In 2023, the organization partnered with Modex to release an exclusive NFT collection celebrating the World Cup in Saudi Arabia, featuring limited-edition digital moments and fan experiences.
Most recently, in May 2025, FIFA announced a collaboration with Avalanche to build a custom Layer-1 blockchain for its NFT ecosystem. The new infrastructure aims to enhance the functionality of FIFA Collect and expand fan engagement worldwide.
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