Switzerland’s gambling regulator, Gespa, is scrutinizing FIFA’s blockchain-based initiative for distributing tickets to the 2026 World Cup. The investigation centers on whether the novel approach to ticket access, involving non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that grant the right to purchase tickets, inadvertently crosses the line into regulated gambling activities. This development highlights the evolving challenges of applying existing legal frameworks to emerging digital asset technologies.
Gespa’s Preliminary Assessment
Gespa’s director, Manuel Richard, indicated that the preliminary assessment suggests FIFA’s model, as presented on collect.fifa.com, might fall under Swiss gambling legislation. Consequently, the regulatory body intends to gather further information to ascertain if enforcement actions are warranted. The core of the inquiry lies in understanding the probabilistic elements and the potential for financial gain or loss associated with these digital tokens.
FIFA Collect Platform and NFT “Right to Buy” Tokens
The FIFA Collect platform, launched in 2023, offers “Right to Buy” tokens. Holders of these NFTs secure a guaranteed opportunity to purchase tickets for specific matches. Crucially, this right exists irrespective of whether the participating teams or the exact venue have been finalized at the time of token acquisition. This pre-purchase mechanism, tied to future, uncertain events, is the subject of Gespa’s scrutiny.
Regulatory Powers and Enforcement
Should violations of Swiss regulations be identified, Gespa possesses the authority to compel Swiss companies to cease such operations. For entities registered abroad or operating exclusively online, Gespa can request Swiss internet service providers to block access to non-compliant websites. This underscores the broad powers of regulators in overseeing digital commerce and its intersection with established legal domains.
Broader Blockchain Integration Context
This situation arises as FIFA continues to explore blockchain integration, having previously announced a partnership with Avalanche in May 2025 to develop its own layer-one blockchain. The current investigation, however, focuses specifically on the commercial and regulatory implications of their NFT-based ticket distribution strategy.
Jonathan Reed received his MA in Journalism from Columbia University and has reported on corporate governance and leadership for major business magazines. His coverage focuses on executive decision-making, startup innovation, and the evolving role of technology in driving business growth.