The Swiss Federal Gaming Board, Gespa, has opened a preliminary inquiry into the sale of FIFA tokens based on the Avalanche blockchain. These tokens are backed by the right to buy tickets for the 2026 World Cup. The regulator is trying to determine whether such sales fall under Swiss gambling laws.
How FIFA Tokens Work
FIFA launched the sale of “Right to Buy” tokens in 2024. These tokens give holders a guaranteed right to purchase a ticket for a specific World Cup match, even if the participating teams and seats are not yet known. Buyers can also resell these tokens on secondary markets.
Some tokens are tied to national teams. For example, the “Right to Final: England” token, priced at $999, gives the holder the right to buy a ticket for the final match if England qualifies. All such tokens have already sold out.
However, the chance of actually receiving a ticket depends on team performance. With nearly 50 countries participating, most tokens will not lead to an actual ticket purchase. According to estimates by The Athletic, FIFA has already earned around $15 mln in revenue from the sale of Right to Buy tokens.
Last week, FIFA launched its own resale platform for tickets. Some seats for the 2026 World Cup final are listed there for as much as $30.000.
The tournament will take place across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. FIFA projects total revenue of up to $11 bln for the 2023–2026 cycle.
FIFA’s Reaction
FIFA declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. The regulator clarified that it had not received any complaints about the platform before Bloomberg’s inquiry. FIFA has not been formally accused of any wrongdoing.
Gespa has the authority to order Swiss companies to stop violations. If foreign online platforms are involved, the agency can require local internet providers to block access to their websites. If signs of a criminal offense are found, Gespa must forward the case to law enforcement authorities.
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