FIFA Under Fire: Swiss Regulator Files Criminal Complaint Over Football Governing Body’s NFT Ticket Vouchers

In Switzerland, FIFA is being sued for NFT ticket vouchers. The country’s gaming regulator, Gespa, has launched a criminal complaint against an international self-regulatory governing body of global football, questioning the “right-to-buy” NFT vouchers that come with World Cup tickets.

FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association; “International Federation of Association Football”), football’s global governing body, is facing legal action from Switzerland’s gambling watchdog after allegations that its blockchain-based ticket voucher system amounts to unlicensed gambling.

The Swiss Gambling Supervisory Authority (Gespa) lodged a formal criminal complaint against FIFA’s digital collectibles platform, “FIFA Collect”, stating that its “right-to-buy” NFT vouchers and associated allocation mechanisms breach the Swiss Federal Act on Gambling. The authority argues that the system enables users to pay money for a chance at exclusive ticket access — a structure that legally resembles lottery-style gambling and therefore requires a license in Switzerland.

How System Works

“FIFA Collect” allows fans to purchase non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that function as digital ticket vouchers. These vouchers give holders priority or eligibility to buy tickets for major FIFA events, including the 2026 World Cup.

However, certain tiers and premium opportunities are distributed via randomized “drops,” reward pools, or selection rounds — meaning that participants pay in advance for an uncertain outcome.

Why Regulators Object

According to Gespa, the combination of paid participation, chance-based allocation, and the ability to resell vouchers on secondary markets adds a speculative financial dimension.

Swiss gambling law defines such mechanisms as gambling if players stake something of value and receive potential rewards determined partly by luck. As such, the regulator says “FIFA Collect” functions like a lottery and needs a license, which it doesn’t currently have.

Gespa vs. FIFA Might Have Broader Implications for Sports & Web3

This development arrives at a moment when major sports organizations are pushing deeper into blockchain-driven fan engagement. NFT-based ticketing has been promoted as a way to reduce fraud, control scalping, and create digital memorabilia tied to events. However, this complaint underscores a growing regulatory trend: when digital collectibles offer exclusive access, monetary upside, or lottery-style selection mechanisms, they may fall under gambling law rather than consumer-product or collectibles law.

This case could therefore influence the global playbook for how sports bodies adopt Web3 (the next generation of the internet, which is built on decentralized technologies like blockchain and provides consumers more control over their data and online identities) systems going forward — especially when scarcity and competition for tickets are involved. For fans, the situation also ties into how they engage with the wider football ecosystem, from digital ticketing and collectibles to choosing the best bookmakers for football betting when following matches and tournaments more closely.

Future of “FIFA Collect” Uncertain

Gespa’s complaint triggers a criminal investigation, leaving the future of “FIFA Collect” uncertain. Prosecutors could push for suspension, fines, forced restructuring, or, in a more severe scenario, criminal charges. Secondary-market voucher holders may also face ambiguity around the value or enforceability of their access rights if the system is altered or halted.

Sports business analysts note that the case is being closely watched by clubs, leagues, and platform operators worldwide, as an adverse ruling could reshape how tokenized fan access products are designed.